Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEF and Cessna 441 Conquests VH-VEJ & VH-VEY Spotted at Mackay Airport

On Wednesday 13 November, Corporate Air  / Vee H Aviation SAAB 340B VH-VEF made an early morning arrival into Mackay Airport from Brisbane.  It was photographed later in the day resting quietly on the main parking apron.

The SAAB was joined at Mackay Airport by fellow Corporate Air  / Vee H Aviation Cessna 441 Conquests VH-VEJ and VH-VEY which also both looked to arrive from Brisbane.  They were parked on the Western General Aviation Apron (WGA) at Mackay Airport.

During the afternoon, it appears that VH-VEJ returned to Brisbane, while VH-VEY and VH-VEF remained at Mackay Airport for the night.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 14 November, VH-VEJ and VH-VEF both departed Mackay Airport to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, as shown above, the two Conquests were parked alongside Vanderfield Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH which had earlier arrived into Mackay Airport from its Toowoomba base via Archerfield also on Wednesday 13 November.

VH-WPH later returned to Toowoomba.

Also spotted operating aerial survey out of Mackay Airport and other CQ Airports this week was Handel Aviation (New South Wales) Vulcanair (Partenavia) P.68C VH-TAV.

It has also spent time at both Gladstone and Rockhampton Airports during the week where it completed several aerial survey flights around the region.

Finally, also recently spotted at Mackay Airport on the Eastern General Aviation apron seemingly undergoing work at the resident Chrisair Aircraft Maintenance facility was both Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver float plane VH-OHU and Cessna 208 Caravan float plane VH-WTY.

Both float planes normally operate from Hamilton Island Airport alongside numerous helicopters also operated by Whitsunday Air Services / Hamilton Island Air.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter 'JM' for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by 'JM'  ©

ATSB Released Final Report into Runway Excursion Involving Island Air Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan VH-AZH on Avoid Island South of Mackay

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its final report into a runway excursion incident involving Island Air (Reef Airways) Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 VH-AZH on Avoid Island, South-East of Mackay on Thursday 23 March.

VH-AZH taxis out at Mackay Airport in happier times  (File photo)

The 'remains' of VH-AZH near the Chrisair hangar at Mackay Airport in May  (File photo)

The ATSB reports that "The pilot of VH-AZH, prepared for a departure from Avoid Island aeroplane landing area (ALA), for a passenger charter flight to Mackay.  The pilot observed a 5-10 kt wind from the south-east and elected to use runway 14 for take-off.  Runway 14 was a grass runway, 800 m long and included a slight rise in the middle. At the end of the runway was a vertical drop of about 2 meters down to a rocky beach.

At about 1555 Eastern Standard Time, the pilot commenced the take-off. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, just prior to reaching the rotation speed, the pilot felt a significant deceleration. The pilot identified that insufficient runway remained to stop the aircraft, and elected to continue the take-off.

The aircraft did not take-off before overrunning the runway and became airborne as it passed over the vertical drop at a speed of about 50 kt. The aircraft was unable to maintain height and descended until the landing gear and underside of the rear fuselage impacted rocks."

You can read more at the ATSB website:  https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/aair/ao-2017-035/

ATSB Investigating Runway Excursion Involving Island Air Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan VH-AZH on Avoid Island South of Mackay

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating a runway excursion incident involving Island Air (Reef Airways) Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 VH-AZH on Avoid Island, South-East of Mackay, on Thursday 23 March.

Current investigations indicate that during its take-off run, the aircraft overran the runway and collided with rocks. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the aircraft was substantially damaged.

A report will be released by the ATSB within several months.

Over the last weekend while we were in Mackay, we spotted the 'remains' of VH-AZH sitting rather forlornly in a grassed area adjacent to the Chrisair Aircraft Maintenance hangar ar Mackay Airport.

In the same grassed area also was the 'remains' of Cessna 172L VH-RIS.  The Skyhawk, which was reportedly abandoned at Bowen Airport for time, was left to face the full force of Tropical Cyclone Debbie without being tied down or stored, and has consequently been damaged beyond repair and written off.

VH-RIS ar Bowen Airport soon after TC Debbie hit  (File photo)

Photo taken by James Kirk  ©

Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8-202 VH-ZZA Spotted at Mackay Airport - Plus More!

Surveillance Australia / Australian Border Force (ABF) Cobham Aviation-operated Dash-8 turbo-props continue to operate Customs and immigration surveillance flights out of various CQ Airports and on Monday 27 June, Dash-8-202 VH-ZZA was spotted resting quietly on the Mackay Airport apron after a heavy shower had rolled through.  It had earlier arrived from a sortie using the new radio callsign of "Borderforce 11".

Meanwhile, I also called into Mackay Airport before the rain on Monday 27 June and captured a photo of VH-ZZA - along with Pel-Air SAAB 340A Freighter VH-KDK.

Also around on a busy General Aviation (GA) apron I spotted Reef Airways (Island Air) Cessna 206 VH-LSO and Beech B58 Baron VH-LAP awaiting their next flights - usually passenger transfer flights to nearby Keswick Island.

VH-LSO was due to operate from Mackay to Longreach Airport and back on Tuesday 28 June, however this looks have not happened with a 'plan in the system' for the same flight on Wednesday 29 June.

Incidentally, there are also reports that the Island Air flights to Keswick Island have been taken over and are now operated by Chrisair Aircraft Maintenance - however this is not 100% confirmed.

Finally, a couple of other interesting GA movements over the last few days included two visits by the Sunshine Coast-based Aero Dynamic Flight Academy Cessna 310 VH-NFE which first visited on Saturday 25 June flying North from the Sunny Coast to Cairns.  Then on Monday 27 June, VH-NFE returned South from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast again via Mackay Airport.

And Eastern Air Services of Port Macquarie (New South Wales) Beech B200 King Air VH-LNK made a before dawn visit to Mackay Airport in the wee small hours of Sunday 26 June.  It called in from Archerfield and later departed to Narrabri before it returned to Archerfield.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Beech A36 Bonanza VH-ILG Crash Landing at Mackay Airport Thursday - Landing Gear Failure - Pilot and Passenger Ok!

On Thursday 30 July, Beech A36 Bonanza VH-ILG suffered a landing gear failure while landing at Mackay Airport.  It came to rest on the main Runway 14/32, sustaining damage to its propeller and underneath section.  The pilot and his passenger (a dog) escaped unharmed.

Mackay Airport was closed for a period of time on Thursday afternoon while VH-ILG remained on the Runway.  The afternoon Virgin Australia VOZ613 flight from Brisbane to Mackay was forced to hold South of Mackay for around 30 minutes before it was able to land once the Bonanza was cleared and the Airport re-opened.

At Mackay Airport, VH-ILG was re-positioned from the Runway to the General Aviation (GA) Apron and into position outside the resident Chrisair Maintenance hangar where no doubt repair work will be carried out.

I spotted VH-ILG parked on the GA Apron at Mackay Airport last Friday 24 July.  It seems to have become a regular sight at Mackay Airport despite being registered in West Australia.

VH-ILG has also been spotted at various Central Queensland Airports over recent months.

It's another unfortunate aviation incident to take place over the last couple of weeks in the Mackay-Whitsunday region.

Photos taken by Kevin Patroni  ©

A Quick Look at Chrisair Aircraft Maintenance at Mackay Airport

Chrisair Aircraft Maintenance is the primary maintenance provider for aviators in the Mackay/Whitsunday region.  Chrisair operates from a large hangar on the General Aviation (GA) side of Mackay Airport - certainly as you drive through the GA area at the Airport the hangar isn't hard to miss!

The hangar is one of the original hangars that was part of the 'old' Mackay Airport which is on the Eastern side of the Airport.  Nearby are other old original buildings, including the old Domestic Terminal Building, which is now utilised by private light aircraft charter companies.

What is noticeable when approaching the hangar is the large number of aircraft that are being maintained by Chrisair.  Not only is the hangar full of aircraft receiving often deeper attention, but there are also usually a number of aircraft parked outside the hangar up against the boundary fence and on the GA Apron.

During my recent visit, I caught up with two of the more senior mechanics at Chrisair - who also happen to be office bearers at Mackay Aero Club.  I was firstly directed to a familiar sight in Central Queensland in the form CQ Warbird Adventures' Yakovlev Yak 52 VH-YAF, which is permanently hangared inside the Chrisair facility at Mackay Airport

There were actually quite a number of aircraft inside and outside of the hangar that I have seen in Central Queensland.  Front-and-centre of the hangar was GSL Aviation's Cessna 210 VH-FOC, which was in the process of having a 100-hour service and window change completed.

One of the GSL Avaition bosses arrived shortly after, and later in the evening, flew VH-FOC back to the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for it to resume service the next day.

Another familiar sight - particularly at Mackay Airport - is Horizon Airways Cessna 172 VH-OHZ.  Horizon Airways operates a fleet of Cessna and Beech light aircraft from Mackay Airport, that are utilised for pilot training and aircraft charter services.

Also very much a familiar sight at Mackay Airport are Australasian Jet light aircraft.  I spotted Cessna 206 VH-IEW parked on two wheels just outside the Chrisair hangar.

Perhaps the most interesting visitor in the Chrisair hangar - and certainly the easiest seen - was Whitsunday Air Services Cessna 208 Float Plane VH-WTY.  This lovely looking Caravan is normally based at Hamilton Island.

Seemingly a recent arrival to the Mackay region is Partenavia P.68B VH-DBF.  The aircraft is registered to Aviation Enterprises in Mackay.

Locally-based Piper PA-32R-301 was also receiving attention.

Grumman American AA-5 Traveller is also a familiar sight in Mackay.

Certainly a nice colourful aircraft is Fuji FA-200-160 VH-FJV.  This aircraft is usually based at the Whitsunday Coast / Proserpine Airport.

Silverlena Aviation Services Cessna 172 VH-BXR was also tucked away in the massive hangar also receiving attention.

Lastly, Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-WGN has been a long time resident at Mackay Airport.  The aircraft has in fact been de-registered, but remains parked at Mackay Airport.

I'd like to thank the fellas at Chrisair for their time and allowing me to grab a few photos inside their hangar during my recent visit to Mackay.  Chrisair can be contacted by phone on (07) 4957 4655.

Or simply call into the big hangar on the GA (Eastern) side of Mackay Airport!