Investigation number
199303413
Occurrence date
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence category
Accident

The operator was asked to pick up some fishermen by another operator who was unable to conduct the charter. A strip was marked out on a salt flat by the passengers, who were primarily attempting to find an area of sufficient length. When the pilot landed he intended to stop the aircraft as soon as possible then inspect the strip on foot prior to take-off. On touchdown he immediately realised that the surface was soft but had insufficient speed to contemplate a go-around. The aircraft came to rest in about 30 m. The nosegear casting had bent allowing the nosewheel to turn through 90 degrees. The passengers had never marked out a strip before, nor had they been told what criteria a strip must meet.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Beech Aircraft Corp
Model
A36
Registration
VH-FCT
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Burketown QLD
Destination
Massacre Inlet QLD
Damage
Substantial