Investigation number
199303146
Occurrence date
State
Western Australia
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Collision with terrain
Occurrence category
Accident
The pilot was flying to a strip he knew well. On arrival he assessed the wind and chose the strip direction for use. He noted that there were sheep in the same paddock, so elected to conduct a short field approach. On short final, the aircraft suddenly developed a sink from which the pilot could not recover. The aircraft hit a fence at the threshold of the strip and landed heavily. After the pilot disembarked from the aircraft, he noted that the wind was gusting and that this may have contributed to the sudden sink. He did not add any margin to his approach speed to allow for the gust factor of the wind.
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
172B
Registration
VH-WVB
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Northern Gully WA
Destination
Wagga Wagga Station WA
Damage
Substantial