Investigation number
199300569
Occurrence date
State
Victoria
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Runway excursion
Occurrence class
Incident

Both pilots had extensive time on DC3 aircraft earlier in their flying careers. The First Officer had been re-validated on type after recent asymmetric checking. On Saturday 20 March the Captain flew the aircraft to Warrnambool with 24 passengers and an engineer on board. A normal landing was made on runway 13 with a crosswind of about 10 knots. The following afternoon the crew went to the airport at about 1415 hours for the return flight to Melbourne. They loaded the luggage and completed a preflight inspection. There was plenty of time to do these tasks prior to the planned departure. The passenger load was similar to that on the previous day's flight. The First Officer was to fly the aircraft from the left seat. The wind was from about 020 degrees at 12-14 knots and the weather was fine. Runway 31 was selected for take-off. The tail wheel lock was engaged and the take off commenced with into wind aileron and leading with the into wind throttle. Initially the aircraft was tracking straight down the centre of the runway. As the tail was lifted a mild swing to the right developed. This was corrected with left rudder but an over correction followed with the aircraft veering towards the left side of the runway. Approaching the runway intersection, the Captain came on the controls and checked that the autopilot was switched off. A correction was made and the left wheel was in the air. The aircraft left the sealed area and leap frogged gables at the runway intersection. The Captain took full control and closed the throttles. The aircraft was steered back onto the runway where it was brought to a stop. On taxy back to the terminal area it was noted the tail wheel steering and brakes functioned normally. An inspection showed that the left wingtip and aileron had been damaged by ground contact. The First Officer had not done a cross wind take off on the type for 24 years.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Douglas Aircraft Company
Model
DC3-G202A
Registration
VH-ABR
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Warrnambool VIC
Destination
Melbourne VIC
Damage
Minor