Cessna 172-B, VH-AAC, 60 km east-north-east of Wilcannia, New South Wales, on 30 April 1990

Circumstances:

The pilot was spotting for sheep in advance of rising flood waters. He landed the aircraft in a paddock to assist a truck driver to unload sheep from the truck. He used the driest part of the paddock, near the tree line, where vehicles and motor bikes had been operating. Before departing, the pilot taxied to the touch-down point and commenced the take-off over the same area used for landing. Once the aircraft passed the end of the landing roll section, the ground became softer, the nosewheel dug in and the aircraft veered to the right. The nose gear broke off and both propeller blade tips hit the ground. The right wing tip struck a one metre high acacia tree while the aircraft continued to slide for about a further 50 metres.

Significant Factors:

The following factor was considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The soft surface was not detected in the pilot's survey of the area selected for landing.