The take-off accident to the DH89 described in Air Safety Digest No 1
was just the type of occurrence that led EJ Connellan to write in his company's ops manual a long and detailed section about the many meteorological hazards that could be encountered throughout the extensive network over which the company flew, from the SA border to the Top End.
A sudden wind change would obviously be encountered if you took off with strong thermals passing through the airstrip. Of course they would usually be easy to see due the spiral of dust, characteristic of a whirly wind or cockeye bob.
Connellan Airways had several DH89 over the years. Their respective fates make interesting reading. Fire on start-up leading to total destruction. Or a nose over on landing.
Incidentally the first flight of the type was actually 17 April 1934. Hooker Creek (not as a rule plural) was in recent years renamed Lajamanu.
Thank you Centaurus for all those fascinating posts. Your Barry Allen Anson experience calls to mind Jimmy Woods who ran a regular service from Perth to Rottnest Island. His front seat passengers would often be chosen on a similar basis to Barry's selection. By the time the gear was up it was almost time to start cranking it down. One time Jimmy had only one passenger over to the island.
On a high long final he shut down both engines, without saying a word. A minute or so later he restarted them. Once again not a word to his startled passenger. It was only when they shut down on the apron that an explanation was forthcoming. Jimmy (ex RFC in the First World War) pointed to his watch,
which showed about 1105, saying he always observed a minute's silence at 11 o'clock on the 11th of November. True.
Connellan Airways: DH89 Dragon Rapide VH-AHI
Connellan Airways' DH89 Dragon Rapide VH-AHI at Inverway Station in the Kimberley, NT. This was another one of the stopping places on Connellan's scheduled services and the aircraft usually overnighted here. This 1955 photo shows the aircraft being untied and made ready in the morning. The vehicle is an FJ Holden.
(Photo: Ian Leslie collection)