Piper PA 36-285, VH-MYJ, Tygalgah (5 km north of Murwillumbah), New South Wales, on 18 November 1989

Circumstances:

The pilot intended to conduct spreading operations on nearby sugar cane fields. During the latter part of the first take-off of the morning, the aircraft failed to lift off as anticipated and entered a sugar cane field at the end of the airstrip. The pilot discontinued the take-off, but the aircraft was substantially damaged when it ran into a ditch, in which lay several disused telegraph poles. The pilot reported the aircraft encountered an isolated tailwind gust during the take-off. He said he attempted to dump the load but was unsuccessful due to the damp condition of the fertiliser.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The aircraft encountered an isolated tailwind gust during the critical stage of the take-off.
2. The load did not dump due to its damp condition.