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Old 29th Oct 2001, 17:14
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Eastwest Loco
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Devonport Tasmania Australia
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Longwing - the aeroplane as you rightly quote was VH-EWL - Captain was Frank Owens. I do not know where you would find the accident report but try the database at airdisaster.com

According to Frank - a lovely guy and later an F28 driver for eenie weenie - he was short on final into BHS and the winds went from 35 knots on the nose to 35 knots on the tail instantaneously - Lima started to shudder into a stall and he applied full power to both Darts and selected gear up - all to no avail -Lima bellied adjacent to the runway and exited the airport through a perimeter fence. Number 2 turbine left the aeroplane during the slide on the belly (the F27 was designed to do this through its "Troopship" military variants) causing a flash fire in the engine pod that self extinguished and pulled up with Frank looking at a very bemused housewife doing the washing up in a farmhouse kitchen. The cabin crew opened the rear door and the passengers stepped out unhurt. A tough aeroplane and a great Airman.

The cause of the accident was initially laid on Frankie - as was normal - but it was proved that this was the first recorded or acknowledge instance of microburst and he was exhonourated of all blame as he should have been.

Lima was bought by a consortium to be put back into service but after they bought her they discovered that the hull was fully one foot shorter than it should have been because of the accident. DoA would not certify it to fly.

I hope this helps.

VH-EWL flew again as a BAe146-300 - with the memories of a wonderful pilot and a magnificent aeroplane that now rests as a fire training hulk at Bankstown remembered and accompanying her every flight.

Best regards

EWL
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