Lessons Learned: Aeromedical Strikes Edge Light Amid Low Visibility

An aeromedical King Air struck an edge light amid dark conditions and compromised visibility after starting its takeoff roll.

Dark conditions and taxiway marking visibility, known factors in previous misaligned takeoff incidents, contributed to an aeromedical King Air striking a turn pad edge light after commencing its takeoff roll.

Just after midnight on February 24, 2026, an aeromedical— a Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland Section Beechcraft King Air aircraft—with a pilot, doctor, and nurse on board was taxied for takeoff from runway 12 at Wellcamp Airport, near Toowoomba, Queensland, as detailed by an ATSB (Australian Transport Safety Bureau) investigation.

The pilot recalled completing all the required takeoff and lineup checks while backtracking on the runway before turning on the turn pad at the end of the runway.

The pilot initiated their 180-degree turn on the turn pad, tighter than the guidance line indicated, and inadvertently lined the aircraft up on the row of right runway edge lights, perceiving them as the centerline lighting.

As it began its takeoff roll the aircraft struck a turn pad edge light, damaging both propellers and denting the fuselage.

The pilot recognized the groundstrike and rejected the takeoff, before taxiing back to the parking apron and grounding the aircraft.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted the occurrence shared several similarities with previous misaligned takeoffs investigated by the ATSB.

“It was dark with little moonlight which limited visibility of the taxi guidance line markings, and the pilot reported they were not intentionally using these features to guide the turn,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The pilot also perceived the aircraft was aligned with runway centerline lighting on a runway that did not have centerline lighting.”

The report notes that following the turn, the aircraft was positioned in the center of the 90 m wide turn pad with concrete visible to the right.

“The turn pad was wider than the runway strip, likely reinforcing the pilot’s perception of being lined up on the center of the runway.”

The ATSB report details five other recent misaligned takeoff occurrences – three on Perth’s runway 06, one on Brisbane’s runway 01, and one on Hobart’s runway 30 – with all or some of the same factors found to be contributing.

“When pilots taxi and take off during daylight conditions, they are normally presented with a wide range of visual cues by which they can navigate and verify their location,” Mr. Mitchell said.

“At night the amount of visual information available is markedly reduced, heightening the importance of pilots crosschecking all available cues to confirm their position, prior to takeoff.”

After the Wellcamp incident, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland Section reviewed its internal procedures for checklist management, entering and backtracking runways, conducting 180-degree turns, and requirements around identifying and lining up on runways.

The operator will amend its next version of the flight operations manual to require the before takeoff checklist to be fully completed before entering the runway, and to include clear guidance on checklist interruption management.

The ATSB report notes the operator did not previously have a specific procedure for pilots turning around on runway turn pads.

“Operators should consider the regular use of turn pad guidance line markings, which will orientate aircraft with the center of the runway if followed completely, particularly where the turn pad extends wider than the runway width,” Mr. Mitchell concluded.

Read the final ATSB report: Misaligned take-off involving Beechcraft B200C King Air, VH-FDI, at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, Queensland, on 24 February 2026

Content/image source/credit: “Misaligned take-off involving Beechcraft B200C King Air, VH-FDI, at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, Queensland, on 24 February 2026.”