ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 74144
Last updated: 22 May 2013
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| Date: | 14-JUL-1947 |
| Time: | |
| Type: | De Havilland DH.84 Dragon |
| Operator: | Qantas |
| Registration: | VH-BAF |
| C/n / msn: | DHA2027 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | near Zenag, Between Labu and Wau -
 Papua New Guinea
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Lae |
| Wau |
A34-38 (c/no. DHA2027): Delivered 27/12/42 to RAAF. Sold 15/3/46 and became VH-BAF with QANTAS
Caught in bad weather and unable to outclimb terrain. Aircraft ditched amongst trees, destroyed, pilot survived 36 metre fall. It appears that the aircraft became trapped in a narrowing mountain valley under a low cloud base, and the pilot deliberately put the aircraft down on the thick tree canopy.
The accident report gives a good idea of the tough flying conditions to be found in New Guinea at the time. The report goes on to say that the pilot (Capt. R. Crabbe) was hurled out of the cockpit, through the nose of the aircraft, and down a ravine 100 ft below injuring his back.
The Dragon remained wedged in the tree tops and his calls to the passengers went unanswered. A group of native hunters heard the crash and reported it to a nearby Government radio station.
Two medics were led to the scene and climbed the tree in the dark to administer morphine to the
injured passengers and stayed with them through the night. The aircraft fabric was tearing as it moved and settled in the tree. The next day a team with a doctor arrived and the passengers were lowered to the ground in baskets.
One seriously injured passenger was flown to Sydney by QEA DC-3 for plastic surgery and for facial injuries.
Sources:
Balus - Vol 1 by James Sinclair
http://www.dehavilland.ukf.net/pAus01.htm
http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austb/VH-BAF%281%29.html
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/312924-qantas-link-717-hard-landing-darwin-6.html
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Apr-2010 22:38 | Petro | Added |
| 31-Dec-2011 06:20 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Cn, Total fatalities, Location, Source, Narrative] |
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