Whitsunday Air Services Viking Air Limited (De Havilland) DHC-2 MK I Beaver VH-OHU Crashes in Waters Adjacent to Whitehaven Beach

On Saturday 26 October, the sad sight of Whitsunday Air Services Viking Air Limited (De Havilland) DHC-2 MK I Beaver VH-OHU has crashed into the water adjacent to Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays.

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Reports say the Seaplane crashed upon landing in the water adjacent to Whitehaven Beach at around 8.30am Saturday morning. 

According to eyewitnesses the plane’s pilot was attempting a water landing near the beach when it "nose dived into the water and flipped upside down". 

The crash will be subjected to a full investigation.

It is believed all five people (1 pilot and 4 passengers) aboard the plane which, escaped serious injury. 

A barge was dispatched from Hamilton Island to recover the aircraft.

Pacific Sky Aviation Inc (Canada) Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter C-GVKI Calls into Rockhampton Airport

A nice surprise arrival into Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday 25 February with Canadian registered Pacific Sky Aviation Inc Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter C-GVKI touching down from Cairns.

The distinctly coloured special mission Viking 'Guardian 400' demonstration aircraft is presently on a world tour and stopped in at Cairns around a fortnight ago before it ultimately heads to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth during the Australian leg of the world tour.  Indeed after refuelling at Rocky, it departed to Tamworth in New South Wales.

C-GVKI has reportedly undergone a six month modification program to develop the aircraft and is full of special mission equipment from the companies noted to the right of the cabin door.

Viking has developed the Guardian 400 in response to worldwide military and government agency demand for a medium-range maritime patrol, search-and-rescue and critical infrastructure platform based on the new Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft.  It is also the only special mission aircraft capable of operating on five different types of landing gear.

Read more at:  https://www.guardian400worldtour.com/

Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Michael M, Trevor H and Kayanne H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

Photos taken by Michael Malick, Trevor Hardsman and Kayanne Hardsman  ©

Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS Passes Through Longreach Airport

On Monday 7 January, privately owned and operated Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS was back in Central Queensland and was noted passing through Longreach Airport.  It arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Cairns where it is reportedly going to receive some planned maintenance.

N153QS at Brisbane Airport last week

The smart little Twin Otter has previously visited CQ at Mackay Airport in both 2017 and 2018 while ferrying North and South to and from Cairns where it undergoes maintenance.  N153QS reportedly operates in the South Pacific region transporting passengers and freight to a privately owned luxury yacht.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS Passes Through Mackay Airport

On Saturday 14 April, privately owned and operated Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS was noted passing through Mackay Airport.  It arrived from Cairns where is had reportedly been undergoing some planned maintenance.

N153QS at Mackay Airport heading to Cairns in January  (File photo)

After taking fuel, N153QS departed to Brisbane.

Of interest, the smart little Twin Otter is believed to be based in the South Pacific region where it operates transporting passengers and freight to a privately owned luxury yacht.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS Passes Through Mackay Airport

On Tuesday 9 January, privately owned and operated Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS was spotted passing through Mackay Airport.  It had arrived from Brisbane and later departed to Cairns where it is reportedly going to receive some maintenance.

The smart little Twin Otter visited Mackay Airport in April 2017 while ferrying from Cairns to the South Pacific where it operates transporting passengers and freight to a privately owned luxury yacht.

All photos taken by 'AC'  ©

Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS Passes Through Mackay Airport

Certainly an interesting visitor into Mackay Airport on Sunday 2 April with Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS calling in while on a ferry flight from Cairns to Brisbane.

The fantastic FNQ Skies Blog has very generously shared with us this great photo as N153QS departed Cairns.  FNQ Skies also reports that N153QS has been at Cairns since early-March after arriving from overseas.

The Twin Otter appears to be staying for the night at Brisbane and may depart for overseas later in the week.

Photo taken by the FNQ Skies Blog  ©

Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS Passes Through Mackay Airport Monday

Certainly an interesting visitor into Mackay Airport on Monday 30 May with Viking Aircraft (De Havilland) DHC-6-400 Twin Otter N153QS calling in while on a ferry flight from Cairns to Brisbane.

The fantastic FNQ Skies Blog has very generously shared with us this great photo as N153QS departed Cairns.  FNQ Skies also reports (HERE) that N153QS has been at Cairns since mid-March after arriving from Darwin.

The Twin Otter appears to be staying for the night at Brisbane and may depart for overseas later in the week.

UPDATE!  N153QS did depart Brisbane on Tuesday 31 May for Noumea, New Caledonia.

Photo taken by the FNQ Skies Blog  ©