Investigation number
AO-2008-015
Occurrence date
Location
Kalumburu Aerodrome
State
Western Australia
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Systemic
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Collision with terrain
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Minor

On 26 February 2008, at about 1655 Western Daylight-saving Time, the pilot of a Gippsland Aeronautics Pty Ltd GA-8 Airvan, registered VH-KUZ, with two passengers on board, commenced take-off at Kalumburu Aerodrome, WA. Witnesses reported that the aircraft started to drift to the left of the runway prior to becoming briefly airborne. The aircraft settled back onto the runway strip, veering further left across the runway strip. The aircraft subsequently ran up an embankment, through low scrub, and then through small trees beyond the runway strip. The impact with the trees flipped the aircraft onto its back, where it came to rest, facing the opposite way to the direction of take-off. The aircraft was seriously damaged, and the pilot and two passengers received minor injuries.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Gippsland Aeronautics Pty Ltd
Model
GA8
Registration
VH-KUZ
Serial number
GA8-07-110
Operation type
Charter
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Kalumburu, WA
Destination
Kununurra, WA
Damage
Substantial