Accident Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-WJK,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 214101
 
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Date:Friday 18 January 1985
Time:08:50
Type:Silhouette image of generic PA31 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Owner/operator:unknown
Registration: VH-WJK
MSN:
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Saibai Island Airport, Saibai Island, QLD -   Australia
Phase: Landing
Nature:Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:YHID
Destination airport:Saibai Island Airport YSII
Investigating agency: BASI
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The pilot reported that, during approach to the 765 metre wet grass strip, the wind appeared to change to a tailwind. The mainwheels struck a concrete sea wall which marks the threshold, both tyres burst and the landing gear legs were damaged. Directional control problems were experienced during the landing and a go-around was carried out, with the aircraft becoming airborne just before the far end of the strip. The pilot was not aware that any damage had occurred until the gear would not retract. A diversion to an alternate aerodrome was conducted and the left main gear leg collapsed on landing. The strip at the original destination was too short for normal operation of the heavily laden aircraft. Because of this, and the wet surface, the pilot had approached at a lower than recommended airspeed, aiming to land close to the threshold. He had been unable to arrest the sink rate which developed in the final stages of the approach.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: BASI
Report number: 
Status: Investigation completed
Duration:
Download report: Final report

Sources:

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1985/aair/aair198503496/
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/34152/aair198503496.pdf

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
06-Aug-2018 06:34 Pineapple Added
29-Oct-2019 17:28 Uli Elch Updated [Operator]
29-Oct-2019 17:33 Uli Elch Updated [Aircraft type]
16-Jun-2023 20:52 Ron Averes Updated [[Aircraft type]]

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

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