What happened
On 14 August 2025, a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL XL amateur-built aircraft departed from Weipa, Queensland, for a flight to Cooktown. The pilot was the sole person on board and the flight was planned to proceed via Coen with a subsequent refuelling stop, if required, using fuel carried in a container on board the aircraft. After leaving Coen, the pilot determined that refuelling was required and selected an off-airfield landing location near Bathurst Bay where, after an aerial inspection of the selected area, the pilot made an uneventful landing at the mouth of a river.
At around 1630, after refuelling and having inspected the intended take-off strip area for suitability, the pilot commenced the take-off. The pilot later reported that, shortly after clearing the ground, the aircraft encountered a strong crosswind gust from the left and the aircraft yawed forcefully into the wind. Directional control and climb performance of the aircraft was rapidly lost and the pilot ditched the aircraft in the shallow river to the left of the strip end (Figure 1). The pilot was uninjured and able to evacuate the aircraft and swim to the shore, however the aircraft became partially submerged (Figure 2) and was substantially damaged by water ingress.
Figure 1: Overview of take-off strip and accident location
Source: Google Earth, annotated by the ATSB
Figure 2: Aircraft final location after being moved by incoming tide, partially submerged
Source: Pilot supplied
Safety message
Take-offs and landings away from established aerodromes and aircraft landing areas (ALAs) can present challenges and significantly increased risks for operating crew. In this instance, while the pilot was operating an aircraft designed and equipped for such off‑field work, the presence of obstacles and hazards close to the chosen strip reduced the options available to the pilot for a safe recovery or landing after the wind gusts and controllability issues were encountered.
Pilots should also consider the shielding effects of any elevated terrain surrounding planned take-off areas and consider the potential effects of abrupt wind changes and windshear once the aircraft outclimbs the terrain.
About this report
Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, no investigation has been conducted and the ATSB did not verify the accuracy of the information. A brief description has been written using information supplied in the notification and any follow-up information in order to produce a short summary report, and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions.