Runway excursion, Mabuiag Island, Torres Strait

On 27 April 2006 at about 1530 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna Aircraft Company U206G (206) aircraft was being operated on a non-scheduled passenger flight from Warraber Island to Mabuiag Island, in Torres Strait. On board were a pilot, six passengers and luggage. Shortly after touchdown during the landing on runway 15 at Mabuiag Island, the aircraft commenced to veer to the left. The pilot was unable to maintain the aircraft on the runway and it continued to veer left, skidding sideways on the grass verge through a fence and into a lagoon. The pilot and passengers were able to safely vacate the aircraft.

The pilot reported that the aircraft was configured with full flap for the approach and that the aircraft touched down at about 65 kts near the runway threshold. He retracted the flaps on touchdown and as he applied maximum braking, the aircraft turned to the left and started to skid. He applied gentle right rudder in an attempt to straighten the aircraft, but it continued to slide to the left. The aircraft ran off the sealed runway surface and it continued to slide on the grass.

The operator reported that an inspection of the aircraft following its recovery from the lagoon did not reveal any mechanical or system anomalies that may have been a factor in the accident.

The pilot reported that he probably did not apply equal braking effort to both the left and right main landing gear brakes during the landing. While the braking technique may have been a factor, it is more likely that the pilot's limited experience in crosswind conditions and on the aircraft types were the main factors that led to the runway excursion.