Incident Overview
On 8 March 2015, the pilot of an Aero Commander 500 aircraft, registered VH-WZV, was preparing for a charter flight from Badu Island to Horn Island, Queensland, with five passengers. The aircraft had been refueled earlier that day at Horn Island, where the pilot conducted fuel drains with no contaminants found. He had operated the aircraft for about 2 hours prior to landing at Badu Island with no abnormal performance or indications.
Pre-Departure and Takeoff
At about 1330 Eastern Standard Time, the pilot started the engines and conducted standard checks, with all indications normal. He obtained relevant clearances from air traffic control and taxied for departure from runway 30. After lining up on the runway centerline at the threshold, he performed a pre-takeoff safety self-brief and pre-takeoff checks. He then applied full power, released the brakes, and commenced the takeoff run. All engine indications were normal during taxi and the start of the takeoff run.
Power Loss and Rejected Takeoff
When the airspeed increased to about 80 knots, the pilot commenced rotation. The nose and main landing gear lifted off the runway. Just as the main landing gear lifted, the pilot detected a significant loss of power from the left engine. The aircraft yawed to the left, which the pilot counteracted with right rudder. He heard the left engine noise decrease noticeably, and the aircraft dropped back onto the runway. The pilot immediately rejected the takeoff, reduced power to idle, and used rudder and brakes to maintain the runway centerline.
Runway Excursion
The pilot initially assessed that sufficient runway remained to stop, but due to the wet runway surface, the aircraft did not decelerate as quickly as expected. Anticipating an overrun, and noting a steep slope and trees beyond the runway end, he steered the aircraft to the right toward more open and level ground. The aircraft departed the runway to the right, colliding with a fence and a bush, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and passengers were not injured.