Runway Excursion – Pilatus PC-21 at RAAF East Sale, Victoria, Australia – October 3, 2024

Date:

October 3, 2024

Time:

Afternoon

Type of Aircraft:

Pilatus PC-21

Owner/Operator:

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) – 1 FTS

Registration:

A54-030

MSN:

263

Year of Manufacture:

2018

Fatalities:

0 / Occupants: 1

Other Fatalities:

0

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Location:

RAAF East Sale (YMES), Sale, VIC – Australia

Phase:

Landing

Nature:

Training

Departure Airport:

East Sale AB, VIC (YMES)

Destination Airport:

East Sale AB, VIC (YMES)

Confidence Rating:

Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources

Circumstances:

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft, operated by 1 Flying Training School (1 FTS), was involved in a runway excursion incident at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria, Australia. The aircraft, with a lone student pilot onboard, had just completed a training flight and was landing when it veered off the side of the runway at low speed.  

The incident resulted in the collapse of the nose gear, causing damage to the propeller and engine. Eyewitness accounts and photos from the scene show the aircraft with its nose down and the propeller missing. Emergency services responded to the scene, and the student pilot was thankfully unharmed and taken to the base medical center for assessment as a precaution.

While the exact cause of the runway excursion is yet to be determined, the RAAF has confirmed that an investigation will be conducted to ascertain the contributing factors. This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with flight training, even at low speeds.