Investigation number
198800129
Occurrence date
Location
20 km South of Wongan Hills
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Collision with terrain
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

The pilot had completed a number of take-offs and landings from the one-way agricultural strip prior to the final flight. On each of the previous flights the pilot had turned right after take-off, climbed out and and carried out spreading operations over ground that fell away from the strip. On the final flight the pilot was to carry out spreading on a paddock to the left and uphill from the strip. The pilot inspected the rising ground and assessed that the aircraft's performance was sufficient to outclimb the rising ground with safety. The final take-off was normal until the pilot had reduced power, raised the flaps and commenced a slight left hand turn. At that point the pilot observed that the aircraft appeared to lose height, relative to the ground, and he considered dumping the load and landing the aircraft on the up slope. He rejected both of these options as he considered that obstructions caused by a fence and a powerline would make the situation worse. Before the pilot could take any further action the aircraft's mainwheels touched down, the aircraft bounced back into the air, collided with the fence and came to a stop in a recently ploughed and planted paddock, just short of the powerline. At the time of take-off, wind conditions may have created slight downdrafts. The gradient of the rising ground was about 7 percent. With optimum conditions (airspeed control, engine performance, etc.), at the prevailing density altitude and aircraft weight, the aircraft could have been expected to outclimb the rising ground. In this case the conditions were not optimum and the aircraft flew into the ground and fence.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
188
Registration
VH-RYO
Serial number
18801353
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
20 km South of Wongan Hills WA
Departure time
N/A
Destination
20 km South of Wongan Hills WA
Damage
Substantial