Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the anniversary of the fateful night that TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.  It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the anniversary of the fateful night that TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 62nd anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 61st anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queen's Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 60th anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queen's Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 59th anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 58th anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 57th anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 56th anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Anniversary of TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB Crash at Mackay to be Remembered Today

Today is the 55th anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

Douglas C-47A (DC-3) Dakota 43-48234 Spotted at Rockhampton on its Journey from Mareeba to Caboolture

On our Facebook page, we've been following the progress of the dismantling and subsequent transport of a classic old aircraft in the form Douglas C-47A (DC-3) Dakota 43-48234 "Oklahoma Girl", which has recently been purchased by David Kingshott at Complete Aircraft Care in Caboolture near Brisbane.  The aircraft had for some time been on open display at North Queensland Warbirds (Warbird Adventures) at Mareeba Aerodrome and will be restored to its former glory at Caboolture.

Last week, the C-47A was dismantled and loaded onto on a truck - its wings and tail on another - with transport from Mareeba on its journey South this week to its new temporary home at Caboolture Aerodrome where the aircraft will be exhibited at the Caboolture Warplane and Flight Heritage Museum throughout its restoration.

A third truck joined to convoy carrying the cockpit section of another DC-3 which is all that remains of the old Bush Pilots Australia-coloured DC-3 "VH-BPA" that had been put on a pole at Cairns Airport. The rest of the aircraft unfortunately was scraped as it was believed to be structurally unsound at the time.

File photo

The convoy of trucks travelled from Mareeba to Caboolture via Townsville, Charters Towers, Emerald, Rockhampton and South along the Bruce Highway to Caboolture where it was planned to arrive early on Wednesday 17 December.

Late on Monday 15 December, it was photographed shortly after arriving near Emerald.

On Tuesday 16 November, local plane spotter Kayanne H captured some more photos and a quick video as the convoy had a rest just outside Rockhampton.

The history of C-47A-30-DK Dakota Serial Number 43-48234 reveals the aircraft was built by Douglas during 1944 at Oklahoma City, and assigned the constructors Number 14050 / 25495. It was delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) with serial number 43-48234 and sssigned to the U. S. Transport Command, seeing operations in the Pacific.

After being stricken from charge in Manila, it was sold to Australia and in March 1947, it was registered as VH-DMV to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).  Next, in February 1951 it was registered as VH-CAO and operated for the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) by Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) until the early 1960s.  In March 1962 it was sold to Brain & Brown Air Freighters Pty Ltd in Melbourne and registered as VH-BAB and converted to a aerial freighter.  By November 1976 the C-47A was owned by Air Express Holdings Pty Ltd and used was until 1979 when its registration was cancelled.

After a period of being on display and being under restoration - including re-painting into the markings of C-47A "Jungle Skippers" 43-48234 code X6A - it was transported to Air World at Wangaratta Airfield and restored to flying condition.  It then was further re-painted in the markings of C-47 "Oklahoma Gal" code X16A and was displayed until the museum closed in January 2002 and was by then no longer in flyable condition.

The Dakota was then sold at auction to owners in New Zealand but was never delivered and instead, was sold to North Queensland Warbirds (Warbird Adventures) where it arrived at Mareeba Aerodrome in January 2005.

Certainly a great old bird!

Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and from Caboolture Warplane & Flight Heritage Museum Facebook page  ©

Mackay Plane Crash Anniversary to be Remembered Today

Today is the 54th anniversary since the TAA Fokker F27 Friendship VH-TFB "Abel Tasman" crashed into the sea on Friday June 10 1960, while on approach to Mackay Airport.

It still stands as Australia’s worst commercial air disaster.

The aircraft was on an evening flight from Brisbane to Mackay when it crashed. 29 people – including a number of local schoolboys returning home for the Queens Birthday long weekend – were on board.

There was heavy fog and the plane's first attempt at landing had to be aborted. Friends and families had been watching the plane circle when, at 10.05pm, the Fokker disappeared into the sea just off Far Beach.

This was the first crash of a TAA aircraft involving paying passengers.

VH-TFB was the flagship of their Fokker F27 Friendship fleet. This aircraft was delivered to TAA about ten weeks before VH-TFA.

A Few Other Movements and Plane Spotting Photos from Gladstone Airport This Week

Local plane spotters Jamie C and Tash C have sent through some fantastic plane spotting photos from Gladstone Airport this week.  Despite it a relatively quiet week - the only highlight being a pair of Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 jets to visit on behalf of QantasLink - they still managed to capture some spectacular images of some interesting visitors to the port city, as well as the usual selection of commercial traffic.

On Wednesday 19 June, ICP Savannah Ultralight 19-4638 was captured as it visited Gladstone Airport briefly during the middle of the day.  It later departed for parts unknown.

Another ultralight in the form of Jabiru J-230 24-7384 was also spotted - and eagle-eyed readers will note that this aircraft was spotted wearing 'TAA' titles on its port side. 

Beenleigh-registered Beech B58 Baron VH-DTU was captured as it departed Gladstone for parts unknown.  It had also visited Gladstone earlier in the week.

Finally, Gold Coast-based Cirrus SR22T VH-OPG was spotted as it was 'towed' to the fuel bowser, and then departing (presumably) for the Gold Coast.

Of the commercial traffic to pop into Gladstone Airport on Wednesday 19 June, there was the usual QantasLink (Cobham Aviation) Boeing B717-200 flights arriving from and departing back to Brisbane.  Tash managed to catch both VH-NXO and VH-NXR. 

There was also a nice pair of older QantasLink Dash-8-Q300s, with VH-SBI photographed arriving on Runway 28 and later departing of Runway 10 at Gladstone.

Dash-8-Q300 VH-TQL as also spotted on Wednesday 19 June.

On Thursday 20 June, by far the highlight was the visit of the Alliance Airlines Fokker F-100 VH-FKK operating on behalf of QantasLink.

Other visitors to the port city on Thursday that were photographed by Jamie and Tash included McNab Aviation Cessna 414A VH-FKH, which is pictured departing back to Toowoomba from where it arrived earlier in the day.

Another Cessna 414A VH-JYY was captured as it departed to the Sunshine Coast.

Spotted arriving into Gladstone was Dubbo-based Cirrus SR20 VH-ZCD.  It is pictured arriving from its home port of Dubbo, and after most of the day on the ground, it is also pictured departing back to Dubbo in the afternoon.

 

Robinson R-22BETA VH-UTX was photographed as made a spectacular approach to the General Aviation apron at Gladstone Airport.

Finally, the Gladstone-based Careflight Bell 412EP helicopter VH-XCY was photographed conducting yet more winch training at the Airport.  Reports suggest that the rescue helicopter hangar and building facilities will soon move over the Northern side of Gladstone Airport.  Soil testing and pre-drilling is reportedly occurring, and the move to the other side of the Airport will free up much needed space on the already over-crowded General Aviation apron at Gladstone Airport.

Sincere thanks to both Jamie C and Tash C for capturing and sending these absolutely magnificent photos of some very interesting visitors to Gladstone Airport this week.

Photos taken by Jamie C and Tash C  ©