Cessna 172M, VH-WTL, New Bore, 55km NE of Boulia QLD, 16 December 1986

The pilot landed the aircraft on a nine metre wide gravel road to check on one of his staff, working nearby. Following the check, the pilot commenced a takeoff towards the west in 10-15 knot northerly wind. At an indicated airspeed of about 40 knots the aircraft drifted to left off the side of the road. The pilot continued with the takeoff attempt but the aircraft continued to turn to the left, downwind, and travelled about 600 metres before the nosewheel entered a ditch and the aircraft overturned. During the takeoff attempt into-wind aileron was not used to conteract the crosswind. The takeoff attempt was not discontinued when the aircraft diverged from the intended takeoff path.