Originally Posted by
C441
Ansett landed a DC9 in Groote Eylandt in mid-1980 with almost no fuel - not enough for another circuit.
It was a Cairns - Gove flight with a reasonable amount of fuel but not enough for a couple of go-rounds off the non runway aligned VOR approach in Gove and a diversion to Darwin. Groote was not an approved DC-9 airport and the jet remained at the eastern end of the runway for a couple of days before being very carefully turned around and taxied to the apron.
Imagine the media (social and other) coverage that would get today.
Are you sure of your facts C441. My understanding was the a/c was refuelled at GTE and returned to GOV and then continued to DRW - PHE - PER. The next time I see Graham Stewart I will ask him if the a/c sat at the end of the runway for a couple of days.