Originally Posted by
John Kasuku
With the topography to the west and gusty winds to 32 kts reported, rotors would have been severe. The shortish take off roll would be explained by the stiff headwind. If the rotors resulted in a 20kt change in IAS at the reported 100' altitude I can see how a stall might develop so quickly even quick action by the pilot might not have been enough.
I well remember flying a Lincoln bomber in the 1950's from Richmond RAAF base to Nowra Naval airbase. We tracked via the coast a mile off shore and were hit by severe turbulence abeam Wollongong. It would have been dangerous in a light aircraft so we were glad we were in the Lincoln.