Investigation number
199001173
Occurrence date
Location
French Island
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Runway excursion
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

The pilot was attempting to take off from a 550 metre grass airstrip. His aircraft was approximately 30 kilograms below maximum takeoff weight. The temperature was about 27 degrees Celsius and the wind was calm. The airstrip had been mown recently leaving low bracken stubble and grass. There were low trees beyond the end of the strip. Prior to takeoff the pilot selected 10 degrees of flap and held the aircraft on the brakes until engine RPM was passing about 2100. After a takeoff roll of about 400 metres, the aircraft lifted off at 50 knots and climbed to about ten feet. The stall warning began to sound. The pilot became concerned that the aircraft might not clear the trees off the end of the strip. He closed the throttle, landed straight ahead on the strip, and applied the brakes. The aircraft overran the end of the strip, at a groundspeed of about 15 knots, and collided with a farm fence. The nose wheel was torn off, the wheel strut dug into the ground and the aircraft overturned. The pilot did not acquire the appropriate advice about the airstrip before landing or attempting to take off. He did not refer to the aircraft's performance charts prior to the take off. The charts indicate that the takeoff ground roll distance available was sufficient but that the airstrip was too short to enable the aircraft to out-climb a 50 foot obstacle at the end of the strip. Also, the aircraft did not achieve sufficient airspeed after lift off for it to climb efficiently. No mechanical fault has been found which might have contributed to the accident.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
172
Registration
VH-NAX
Serial number
172-71874
Operation type
Private
Departure point
French Island VIC
Departure time
N/A
Destination
Moorabbin VIC
Damage
Substantial