Cessna 182D, VH-RHL, Wirrulla, SA, 6 Augsut 1969

The pilot had landed on the old Eyre Highway, on the south east side of and close to Wirrulla but, for take off,
he decided to use a better section of the road about one half mile further to the east.
Whilst taxying along the road to the take off position, in a ten knot crosswind, the pilot lost directional
control of the aircraft, on a slippery muddy section and the starboard wing struck a small mallee tree on the
southern verge of the road. The aircraft slewed clockwise through 180 degrees in the course of which the
nosewheel and propeller dug into the earth bank at the road verge, followed in succession by the port
mainwheel, port mainplane and port elevator and tailplane, all of which were substantially damaged.