Tully-based Cessna A185F Skywagon VH-UJT Suffers Take-off Mishap at Gladstone Airport

On Sunday 11 February, Tully-based Cessna A185F Skywagon VH-UJT suffered a mishap while trying to take-off from Runway 10 at Gladstone Airport.  VH-UJT was reportedly departing the port city for Agnes Water when it is suspected that it 'ground looped', forcing the right wing into the ground, before the Skywagon came to rest beside the Runway.

Both occupants emerged from the Skywagon uninjured but surely shaken by the incident.

As these photos shared by local plane spotter Michael F show, there is some damage to the right wing and the aircraft remains parked in this position adjacent to the runway.  It is suspected that the disabled aircraft will only be able to be removed on Monday 12 February.  Air Traffic Control (ATC) transmissions suggest that half of the Gladstone Airport runway will remain closed until then.

The mishap and runway closure has caused some problems for Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) flights in and out of Gladstone Airport with both Virgin Australia (Alliance Airlines) and QantasLink flights diverting into Rockhampton Airport after flying up from Brisbane late on Sunday 11 February.  I assume affected passengers are being bussed back to Gladstone to complete their journeys.

Sincere thanks to Michael F for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Michael Fleetwood  ©