Runway Excursion and Collision with Barrier – Extra 300 at Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia – October 13, 2024

Date:

October 13, 2024

Type of Aircraft:

Extra 300

Owner/Operator:

HP Automotive Pty Ltd

Registration:

VH-XKW

MSN:

LT001

Year of Manufacture:

2010

Engine Model:

Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A

Fatalities:

0 / Occupants: 1

Other Fatalities:

0

Aircraft Damage:

Minor

Location:

Bathurst, NSW – Australia (Mount Panorama Circuit)

Phase:

Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)

Nature:

Demo/Airshow/Display

Circumstances:

An Extra 300 aircraft (VH-XKW) experienced a runway excursion and subsequent collision with a barrier while landing on the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. The aircraft, piloted by Hayden Pullen, was participating in a pre-Bathurst 1000 event, delivering the Peter Brock Trophy to the circuit.  

Upon landing on the grass adjacent to Mountain Straight, the aircraft rolled onto the tarmac. Under heavy braking, the left wheel returned to the grass, causing a difference in grip levels that led to the aircraft veering sharply to the right, towards a concrete wall. Despite the pilot’s immediate application of left rudder, the aircraft did not respond until the right wheel also left the tarmac. This change in grip caused the aircraft to spin hard to the left, resulting in the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator colliding with the concrete wall.

Although the pilot checked the control functions from within the cockpit, a crucial external walk-around to assess the damage was not conducted. Subsequently, the aircraft took off again to continue its display, raising concerns about the pilot’s decision to fly without a thorough inspection of the damage.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has classified this as a “serious incident” and is currently investigating the event to determine the contributing factors and any potential safety breaches.