Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Mooney M20J, VH-CYK: Aircraft hit bird and bull - Accident occurred March 24, 2013 at Hedlow Airport (ALA) in Mulara, Queensland, Australia

June 11, 2013    6:16pm
 
A scenic flight over the Queensland coastline turned sour for passengers when a light aircraft speared off course after hitting a bird and then crashed into a bull in a nearby paddock.

The unlikely course of events was outlined in a crash investigation report released on Tuesday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

On March 24, the Mooney M20J aircraft with a pilot and two passengers aboard was being prepared to land at Hedlow airport near Rockhampton.

When it was about three metres above ground a bird flew out of long grass beside the runway, hitting the plane's left wing.

The impact sent the aircraft off course into a paddock, where the same wing was almost ripped off after striking a bull.

The ATSB report said one passenger had minor injuries, not further described.

The bull had to be put down.

The bureau said wildlife strikes presented a "significant hazard" for aircraft.

"This accident highlights the need to be aware of the hazards that may potentially exist within the vicinity of the runway and the benefits of overflying to alarm wildlife," report authors wrote.

Source:  http://news.ninemsn.com.au


Aviation safety investigation & report: http://www.atsb.gov.au

Wildlife strike involving Mooney M20J, VH-CYK, at Hedlow (ALA), Qld on 24 March 2013

The pilot commenced the landing flare at about 10 ft above the runway, during which time a bird struck the left wing. The aircraft yawed slightly left and the left wing dropped; the pilot applied opposite aileron to maintain wings level. The aircraft then drifted to the right of the runway into an adjacent paddock and the left wing struck a bull. The aircraft landed in the paddock. The aircraft sustained substantial damage from the bull strike and one passenger received minor injuries. The bull was put down as a result of the injuries sustained from the strike.

While the risk of wildlife strikes represents an ongoing challenge, and will always be present, this accident highlights the need to be aware of the hazards that may potentially exist within the vicinity of the runway and the benefits of overflying to alarm wildlife.

 
Investigation number: AO-2013-058

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