Aircraft strikes trees and terrain during go-around at Sunshine Coast

Casualties unknown • About 18 km north-west of Noosa, Queensland

A low-speed approach and a sudden crosswind gust led to a loss of control and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain during a go-around maneuver.

What happened

During the final approach at Sunshine Coast Airport, the aircraft was operating with one stage of flap selected when its groundspeed dropped to 56 kt. As the aircraft cleared a line of trees, it experienced an unexpected sink rate. While wind and terrain interactions at low altitude may have contributed, the sink was also consistent with the performance characteristics of the aircraft at reduced airspeeds.

Despite the pilot increasing engine power, the airspeed continued to decay, reaching approximately 49 kt groundspeed as the aircraft crossed the runway threshold. Upon touchdown, a left crosswind gust pushed the aircraft to the right, directing it toward a house located south of the runway. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power for a go-around; however, the aircraft was not realigned with the runway centerline. This left the aircraft heading toward obstacles. Because the aircraft became airborne at a speed below the recommended climb speed, its climb performance was insufficient to clear the nearby obstructions. The aircraft subsequently struck the top of a tree near its stall speed before impacting the terrain.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the aircraft's aerodynamic state during the approach and the pilot's reaction to the crosswind. Investigators noted that while a headwind component might have resulted in a higher indicated airspeed, the speed likely remained below the recommended 60–65 kt range during the final stages of the approach. The analysis also considered the time required for a pilot to perceive and react to unexpected flight path deviations, noting that the aircraft had already moved toward the obstacles within a four-second window.

Findings

  • A left crosswind gust during touchdown caused the aircraft to veer toward obstacles south of the runway.
  • During the attempted go-around, the pilot failed to realign the aircraft with the runway.
  • The aircraft did not achieve the best angle of climb airspeed (VX), resulting in insufficient climb performance to clear obstacles.

Probable cause

The aircraft drifted toward obstacles due to a crosswind gust during touchdown and failed to clear trees because the pilot did not realign the aircraft with the runway or achieve the necessary climb speed during the go-around.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2023-11-12 Amateur Built Aircraft GLASTAR accident near About 18 km north-west of Noosa, Queensland?

A low-speed approach and a sudden crosswind gust led to a loss of control and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain during a go-around maneuver.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2023-11-12 involved a Amateur Built Aircraft GLASTAR, registration VH-BAQ, at About 18 km north-west of Noosa, Queensland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft drifted toward obstacles due to a crosswind gust during touchdown and failed to clear trees because the pilot did not realign the aircraft with the runway or achieve the necessary climb speed during the go-around.

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