Crop dusting aircraft crash during takeoff

No fatalities • Armidale, Australia • Takeoff (climb)

An agricultural aircraft crashed following a collision with a fence and a tractor during a takeoff attempt in a paddock.

What happened

During a local crop dusting operation, an aircraft was involved in a sequence of impacts immediately following its departure from the ground. While attempting to climb away after becoming airborne, the plane descended into a gully and made contact with the ground on its main wheels.

As the aircraft regained flight, it struck the upper strand of a wire fence. The subsequent path of the plane led it into a rock-filled paddock, where it collided with a tractor. The force of these impacts caused the aircraft to flip over and catch fire. While the aircraft was completely destroyed in the wreckage, the pilot escaped the accident without any injuries.

Findings

Official investigations concluded that the primary factor in the accident was the failure of the aircraft to maintain sufficient altitude to climb away, which led to the initial ground contact and the subsequent chain of collisions with the fence and farm machinery.

Probable cause

The aircraft failed to achieve a safe climbing altitude, resulting in a series of impacts with the ground, a fence, and a tractor.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1966-09-26 Noorduyn Norseman accident near Armidale, Australia?

An agricultural aircraft crashed following a collision with a fence and a tractor during a takeoff attempt in a paddock.

Were there any fatalities in the 1966-09-26 Noorduyn Norseman accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1966-09-26 involved a Noorduyn Norseman, registration VH-GSE, operated by Pay & Williamson, at Armidale, Australia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft failed to achieve a safe climbing altitude, resulting in a series of impacts with the ground, a fence, and a tractor.

Loading the flight search…