The plane that crashed at Shellharbour Airport last month had an altitude of just 50 feet before it descended and hit the runway. Footage by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau
00:00This video contains accident scene footage which may upset some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
00:05The ATSB has published a preliminary report into its ongoing investigation of the collision with terrain involving a Piper PA-32 Lance at Shell Harbour Airport in New South Wales.
00:16On the morning of the 11th of October 2025, the aircraft taxied for a private IFR flight to Bathurst Airport in New South Wales with a pilot and two passengers on board.
00:26After broadcasting on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, or CTAF, the aircraft took off on Runway 26 and lifted off after a 410-metre ground roll.
00:37Abruptly pitching upwards and yawing left as it became airborne, the aircraft then climbed away from the runway in a nose-high attitude while skidding and rolling to the left.
00:46As the aircraft followed a left-turning flight path, the angle of bank appeared to stabilise briefly.
00:51As it reached a maximum recorded altitude of about 50 feet above ground level, the aircraft began descending with the angle of bank and descent rate increasing rapidly towards the end of the flight.
01:01The aircraft collided with terrain, with the left wingtip impacting the ground first while the aircraft was at a near 90-degree angle of bank and with a slightly nose-down attitude.
01:10Tragically, the pilot and passengers were fatally injured in the accident.
01:13The ATSB's on-site examination found the damage to the propeller indicated the engine was driving the propeller at the time of impact.
01:22The landing gear was still extended and the flaps were extended at the 10-degree setting.
01:26A witness near the airport captured two photographs of the aircraft while it was airborne.
01:31These photos were examined by investigators and indicated that all doors appeared to be correctly secured.
01:37Investigators also found the stabilator trim was set to slightly nose-up and the rudder trim was neutral.
01:43The pilot's seat rails indicated the seat was locked in an appropriate position.
01:48There was no damage to the outboard passenger seat rail stop to indicate this seat had slid rearward during the short flight.
01:54Further, no recordings were captured on the Shell Harbour Airport CTAF from the pilot, following those made prior to take-off.
02:02After conducting an initial on-site examination at the accident site, the ATSB moved the wreckage to a nearby hangar for examination and the recovery of several components.
02:11The investigation is continuing and will include a further review and examination of recorded data, aircraft documentation and maintenance records, recovered aircraft components and pilot medical records, qualifications and experience.
02:25You can read the preliminary report by searching AO-2025-064 on the ATSB's website from the link below or from the link in our bio.
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