A Piper Cherokee Lance light aircraft pitched up and yawed to the left before colliding with terrain shortly after take-off at Shellharbour Airport, near Wollongong, a preliminary report from an ongoing ATSB investigation details.
On the morning of 11 October 2025, the Piper PA-32R-300 was departing from Shellharbour on a planned flight to Bathurst, NSW, with a pilot and two passengers on board.
ADS-B flight data and footage from a number of security cameras, which captured the flight has allowed the investigation to establish that as the aircraft was taking off from runway 26, it abruptly pitched up and yawed left, then followed a left turning flightpath before striking the ground and coming to rest at the threshold of the intersecting runway 34. The pilot and passengers were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.
“From the data available we can ascertain the aircraft rolled for about 410 m on runway 26 before it abruptly pitched up, yawed to the left and became airborne,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“The aircraft then climbed away from the runway nose-high, while initially skidding and rolling left, before the skid reduced and its angle of bank appeared to stabilise briefly as it followed a left‑turning flight path.
“But just after reaching about 50 ft above ground level, it began to descend, and collided with terrain a few seconds later.”
Mr Mitchell noted that the ATSB is yet to determine why the aircraft pitched up and yawed before colliding with terrain.
“This preliminary report details factual information gathered during the early evidence collection phase, and does not contain findings or analysis, which will be included in a final report,” he noted.
As outlined in the preliminary report, data showed the aircraft’s groundspeed was 61 kt as it lifted off into a 12 kt headwind, increasing to 64 kt as it commenced turning left.
As the turn continued and with an increasing tailwind component, the groundspeed increased to a recorded maximum of 70 kt, immediately before impact.
All major aircraft components were accounted for during the ATSB’s examination of the accident site.
Examination of the aircraft itself, both in situ and later in a secure hangar, indicated the engine was driving the propeller at the time of impact, the aircraft’s landing gear was extended, and the flaps were extended to the 10‑degree setting.
The stabilator trim was set to slightly nose up, and the rudder trim was neutral.
A Garmin 750 navigation unit was recovered from the wreckage and retained by the ATSB for further examination.
“As the investigation continues, the ATSB continues to further review and examine the recorded data, along with consideration of aircraft maintenance records, recovered aircraft components, and the pilot’s medical records, qualifications and experience,” Mr Mitchell said.
A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
“If any critical safety issues come to light during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.”
Read the preliminary report: Collision with terrain involving Piper PA-32R-300, VH-JVA, Shellharbour Airport, New South Wales, on 11 October 2025