Loss of control during take-off involving a PZL Warszawa-Okecie M-18B, Near Clermont, Queensland, on 11 September 2026

What happened

On 11 September 2026 at approximately 0900 local time, the pilot of a PZL M-18B aircraft departed Mount Wilkins airstrip, Queensland, operating under visual flight rules (VFR).¹ The pilot reported fine weather conditions with an east-south-easterly wind of approximately 13 kt and a temperature of 18–19°C. During the take-off roll while transitioning to a tail-up attitude, the aircraft encountered a suspected willy-willy.²

The pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and reported a sudden and violent movement of the control column resulting in an uncommanded roll. The pilot attempted to apply full aileron and forward control inputs but was unable to regain control of the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently departed the runway and collided with a fence resulting in substantial damage to the airframe, wing structure, engine and propeller (Figure 1). The pilot sustained minor soft-tissue injuries. 

The post-flight inspection indicated no evidence of a mechanical failure.

Figure 1: Aircraft damage

Safety message

Past studies have indicated that willy-willies are unseen, unpredictable and can adversely affect light aircraft when they are operating on or close to the ground. Pilots must be prepared to react to mitigate the effects of willy-willies and maintain control of the aircraft.

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.

1. ^    Visual flight rules (VFR): a set of regulations that permit a pilot to operate an aircraft only in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.

2. ^    Willy-willies (also known as dust devils) are revolving masses of air resulting from local atmospheric instability, such as that caused by intense heating of the air mass adjacent to the ground by the sun on a hot day. They can be 3–100 m in diameter and up to 300 m high. Wind speeds inside the vortex reach a maximum of 100 km/h.