Piper PA 36-285, VH-MYJ, Tygalgah (5kms north of Murwillumbah) NSW, 18 November 1989

The pilot intended to conduct spreading operations on nearby sugar cane fields. During the latter part of the first takeoff of the morning, the aircraft failed to lift off as anticipated and entered a sugar cane field at the end of the airstrip. The pilot discontinued the take off but the aircraft was substantially damaged when it ran into a ditch, in which lay several disused telegraph poles. The pilot reported the aircraft encountered an isolated tailwind gust during the take off. He said he attempted to dump the load but was unsuccessful due to the damp condition of the fertiliser.