Incident Overview

Date: Friday 18 November 1988
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 320
Owner/operator: Australian Airlines
Registration Number: VH-AQB
Location: Dunk Island Airport, Dunk Island, QLD – ÿ Australia
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Right Main WheelRight Main Wheel
Investigating Agency: BASIBASI
Category: Accident
An aircraft carrying passengers was operating a passenger flight to Townsville. During takeoff, the aircraft veered to the right, causing a wheel to run off the runway and impacting the grass. Subsequent maneuvers resulted in crossing the runway and colliding with a concrete culvert, then crossing a roadway, ultimately coming to rest in trees 315 metres from the runway threshold.An aircraft carrying passengers was operating a passenger flight to Townsville. During takeoff, the aircraft veered to the right, causing a wheel to run off the runway and impacting the grass. Subsequent maneuvers resulted in crossing the runway and colliding with a concrete culvert, then crossing a roadway, ultimately coming to rest in trees 315 metres from the runway threshold.

Description

The aircraft was to operate a passenger carrying flight to Townsville. Witness reports indicate that the aircraft was aligned on runway 14 in preparation for takeoff. Power was applied and the takeoff run commenced. At the beginning of the takeoff run the aircraft veered to the right and the right main wheel ran off the sealed runway onto the grass. The aircraft then veered sharply to the left, crossed the runway and ran onto the grass beyond the gable markers. The aircraft then collided with a concrete culvert, crossed a roadway, and came to rest in trees 315 metres from the runway threshold. Comprehensive examination of the aircraft did not reveal any defect or failure that may have contributed to the development of the accident. The weather at the time of the accident was not contributory. The flight crew declined to make themselves available to the investigators for interview. The crew were issued with summonses but did not answer the summons, apparently under direction from their industrial association. This action by the crew hampered the investigation and resulted in no causal factors being determined.

Source of Information

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1988/aair/aair198803501/, https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/27156/aair198803501.pdfhttps://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1988/aair/aair198803501/, https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/27156/aair198803501.pdf

Primary Cause

Incorrect aircraft alignment and control during takeoff.Incorrect aircraft alignment and control during takeoff.

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