Investigation number
199303608
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
Highest injury level
Minor

The pilot was mustering sheep on his property and had handed off two mobs to ground handlers. He was on his fourth pass and was in a 45 degree left turn, descending from 100 to 50 ft at about 70 kts when he realised that he was too close to the sheep and applied left rudder to slip the aircraft away from the sheep. He then attempted to bring the wings level with aileron and arrest the descent without releasing the left rudder pressure. As the aircraft approached 50 ft, the pilot realised he could not recover and closed the throttle. The aircraft struck the ground with the left wing. The propeller then contacted the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled, coming to rest in a distance of about 40 m facing 180 degrees from the direction of flight.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-18-150/A1
Registration
VH-FPI
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Gifford Station WA
Destination
Gifford Station WA
Damage
Substantial