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Pilot's Attempted Take-off from Outside Waterway Leads to Collision with Submerged Reef (VH-AWD)

70 km north-north-east of Hamilton Island (Hardy Reef), Queensland

On March 13, 2017, a De Havilland Canada/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada DHC-2 (registration VH-AWD) was involved in an aviation accident near 70 km north-north-east of Hamilton Island (Hardy Reef), Queensland. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: These findings should not be read as apportioning blame or liability to any particular organisation or individual. This summary draws on records from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

Sourcesthe Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)Primary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

After two failed take-off attempts due to light wind and high weight, the pilot began a take-off from outside the waterway. Low sun angle and high nose attitude restricted visibility of a submerged reef, resulting in a collision.

Background

The pilot had experienced two failed take-off attempts earlier in the day. They believed these failures were due to light wind and high aircraft weight. At the time of the accident take-off, the wind remained light and the aircraft was relatively heavy.

Take-off Attempt

To increase the take-off distance available, the pilot decided to start the take-off from a position outside the dimensions of the waterway. The tide was close to the low point, but the reef struck by the aircraft was still submerged.

Collision

The sun angle was low, increasing the amount of sunlight reflected from the water surface. At the speed of the collision, the aircraft nose attitude was at the highest angle for the take-off run. This condition, combined with the sunlight reflection, severely restricted the pilot's ability to detect the submerged reef before impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Mar 2017 De Havilland Canada/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada DHC-2 accident near 70 km north-north-east of Hamilton Island (Hardy Reef), Queensland?

After two failed take-off attempts due to light wind and high weight, the pilot began a take-off from outside the waterway. Low sun angle and high nose attitude restricted visibility of a submerged reef, resulting in a collision.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Mar 2017 De Havilland Canada/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada DHC-2 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Mar 2017 involved a De Havilland Canada/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada DHC-2, registration VH-AWD, at 70 km north-north-east of Hamilton Island (Hardy Reef), Queensland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

These findings should not be read as apportioning blame or liability to any particular organisation or individual. The light wind conditions and aircraft weight led the pilot to initiate the take-off run from outside of the dimensions of the waterway in order to maximise the take-off distance available. The aircraft…

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