Rockwell 114, VH-DDY, Sea Lake VIC, 20 January 1986

Shortly after take-off the pilot's door opened. The passenger became very agitated and the pilot elected to carry out a low level circuit and landing. The passenger's condition deteriorated to the extent where the pilot was experiencing difficulty in concentrating on the approach. The aircraft touched down in a paddock 22 metres short of the aerodrome boundary fence, ran through the fence and came to rest near the strip threshold. Atmospheric conditions at the time were conducive to the formation of downdrafts and willy-willies. It was possible that the aircraft was affected by such a disturbance at a time when the pilot was distracted by his passenger's condition.