No fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Overrun During Aborted Takeoff (VH-AGX)

Horn Island, AustraliaTakeoff (climb)

On December 22, 1973, a Lockheed L-414 Hudson (registration VH-AGX) operated by Adastra Airways - Adastra Aerial Surveys was involved in an aviation accident near Horn Island, Australia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane overran the runway after losing hydraulic pressure during takeoff, forcing an aborted roll. The aircraft struck an embankment, resulting in injuries to both pilots and total loss of the airframe.

Incident Overview

During a standard takeoff procedure, a twin-engine aircraft experienced a critical mechanical failure involving the loss of hydraulic pressure. This system malfunction necessitated an immediate decision by the flight crew to abort the takeoff roll.

Sequence of Events

Following the initiation of the aborted takeoff, the aircraft was unable to decelerate and stop within the remaining available runway distance. Consequently, the airplane overran the paved surface and continued its momentum until it came to rest against an embankment located beyond the runway end.

Outcome and Damage Assessment

The impact with the embankment resulted in significant structural damage to the airframe, rendering the aircraft damaged beyond repair. Both members of the flight crew sustained injuries during the incident. The specific registration, operator, date, and location of this event are not provided in the available source material.