Collision with terrain during a go-around involving a Van’s RV-7, Fig Tree Aircraft Landing Area, Queensland, on 16 April 2026

What happened

On 16 April 2026, a pilot and passenger on board a Van’s RV-7 departed Archerfield Airport on a private flight to Fig Tree Aircraft Landing Area (ALA), Queensland. The Fig Tree ALA had a 400 m unsealed grass runway at an elevation of 1,600 ft AMSL. The pilot noted that they were conscious of the increased risk of operating into an airstrip with a short runway and had conducted short field landing practice at Archerfield the day prior.

After arriving overhead Fig Tree airfield, a standard field inspection and a go-around was conducted to gain familiarity with the runway characteristics, as was required by the field operator. At 1110 local time, the aircraft commenced an approach and landing on runway 16. As the aircraft touched down midfield on the runway, the pilot determined that with the remaining landing distance available and the aircraft’s high speed, a go-around was required. During the go-around at approximately 20 ft AGL, the aircraft encountered sink and failed to climb as expected. The pilot made the decision to reduce the power to idle and attempted to conduct an off-field landing. The aircraft subsequently collided with thick shrubbery off the end of runway 16, resulting in substantial structural damage. (Figure 1). Both occupants were uninjured and extricated themselves from the aircraft. 

After the occurrence, the pilot recalled that the accident approach was faster than anticipated. The operator determined there were no technical faults with the engine that affected the reduced climbing performance.

Figure 1: Fig Tree ALA

Source: Operator, annotated by the ATSB

Safety message

The margin for error while operating at airfields with short runways is limited and requires pilots to conduct the appropriate short field take-off and landing technique. In the case when an approach becomes unsuitable for a safe landing to occur, it is vital that pilots conduct a go-around as soon as practical.

The occurrence also highlights the importance for all pilots to have a personal minimums checklist that aligns with their individual flying experience. If at any time the conditions exceed these minimums or doubt is experienced, pilots should not continue to land and consider using alternative runways, alternative airfields or returning to the departure location if the available fuel permits.

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.