Ayres S2R "Thrush", VH-WBV, Mungindi NSW, 13 May 1985

198502535

Summary

The flight was intended to provide familiarisation for the pilot on the aircraft type. After loading water into the hopper the pilot took off and carried out a series of turns before positioning for a spray run along one of the flight strips. At the end of the run the aircraft pulled up steeply and began banking to the right. It then appeared to enter a spin to the right and subsequently struck the ground in a steep nose-down attitude with little forward speed. The pilot had been instructed to load 100 gallons of water for the purpose of this exercise. Unsupervised, the pilot loaded 200 gallons of water which resulted in the aircraft being operated at the maximum all up weight approved agricultural overload. It subsequently stalled in a procedure turn at a height from which the pilot was unable to effect recovery before impact with the ground.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198502535
Occurrence date 13/05/1985
Location Mungindi
Report release date 13/05/1987
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Loss of control
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Ayres Corporation
Model S2R
Registration VH-WBV
Operation type Private
Departure point Mungindi NSW
Destination Mungindi NSW
Damage Destroyed