Accident Details
The accident occurred during a superphosphate spreading operation on a property called "KOTUPNA." The pilot and loader-driver departed Armidale between 0715 and 0730 in the aircraft, flying to the agricultural strip located at 4,400 ft above mean sea level. Spreading operations began between 0745 and 0800 and continued for approximately 1.5 hours. After refueling and a break, the pilot remarked to the driver that the aircraft was performing well and requested a load of one tonne of superphosphate. Operations resumed for another 1.5 hours, then ceased for refueling. Following a half-hour lunch break, the pilot again stated he would take a tonne due to good performance.
Sequence of Events
After warming the engine, the pilot made a normal takeoff in a northeasterly direction and banked left to head southwest toward the treatment area. The driver observed that the aircraft was lower and closer to the strip than during normal routes. The aircraft did not appear to be climbing sufficiently to clear a hill ahead. It was then seen in a climbing left turn, with superphosphate dumping from it. The left wingtip contacted the ground, after which the aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest 200–300 meters from the superphosphate dump. The driver ran to the aircraft and found the pilot still strapped in the seat with no apparent sign of life. He moved the pilot clear due to fire risk and summoned help.
Probable Cause
The official findings reported the following factors: wind conditions conducive to windshear and turbulence were present; the aircraft was climbing at near maximum weight; the aircraft was climbing into rising ground; the aircraft was operating at a high-density altitude near its performance limit; and control was lost with insufficient height to effect recovery.
Note
This article is based solely on the provided source and does not include any external analysis or speculation.