Cairns Airport flooding - Sun 17th Dec [Archive]

sunnySA

17th Dec 2023, 08:43

ATIS YBCS Z 170857
OPR INFO: CAIRNS TERMINAL INFORMATION ZULU.
CAIRNS AERODROME SERVICES NOT AVBL.
CAIRNS AERODROME CLOSED DUE FLOODING UFN.
FOR RESUMPTION OF AERODROME SERVICES REFER TO NOTAM.
CAIRNS TERMINAL INFORMATION ZULU

C1006/23
ILS MM 'ICS' 75 RWY15 U/S
FROM 12 170807 TO 12 180800 EST

C1005/23
NDB 'CS' 364 U/S
FROM 12 170805 TO 12 180800 EST

C1003/23
METAR/SPECI AND AD WX INFO SERVICE (AWIS) NOT AVBL
FROM 12 170740 TO 12 240000 EST

C1000/23
FIRE AND RESCUE COMPLETELY WITHDRAWN DUE FLOODS
FROM 12 170447 TO 12 172200 EST

C999/23 REVIEW C993/23
RWY 15/33 CLSD DUE FLOOD WATER
FROM 12 170415 TO 12 172200 EST

C998/23
ILS GP 'ICS' 333.8 RWY15 U/S
FROM 12 170407 TO 12 180800 EST

C997/23
LOC DME 'ICN' 109.5/32X RWY33 U/S
FROM 12 170406 TO 12 180800 EST

C996/23
LOC 'ICN' 109.5 RWY33 U/S
FROM 12 170359 TO 12 180800 EST

B109/23
ATS AT CAIRNS AERODROME SUBJECT TO CONTINGENCY
DUE TO OPERATIONAL RESTRICTIONS.

AERODROME CTL SER NOT AVBL.

MANDATORY BROADCAST PROC ON 124.9

APP (AND DEP) CTL SER PROVIDED TO SFC ON 118.4 MHZ. ALL AIRCRAFT
REQUESTING CLEARANCE INTO THE AIRSPACE MUST CONTACT 118.4 MHZ. NO
LANDING OR TAKE OFF CLEARANCES WILL BE ISSUED.

PRIOR TO OPERATING ON THE MANOEUVRING AREA PILOTS MUST:
1. OBTAIN A BRIEFING ON CONTINGENCY PROCEDURES FROM AIRSERVICES
AUSTRALIA ON +61 7 3866 3533.
2. OBTAIN A LANDING OR DEPARTURE TIME
3. IF DEPARTING, OBTAIN AN AIRWAYS CLEARANCE ON FREQUENCY 118.4 MHZ.

PRIOR TO ENTERING THE RWY FOR DEPARTURE, PILOTS MUST:
4. REPORT READY ON 118.4 MHZ.
5. OBTAIN DEPARTURE INSTRUCTIONS AND REPORT AIRBORNE WITHIN THREE
MINUTES.

AFTER LANDING, REPORT CLEAR OF THE RWY ON FREQUENCY 118.4 MHZ.
FROM 12 170900 TO 12 172000

Cairns. Stay safe.

Ex FSO GRIFFO

17th Dec 2023, 09:37

With 'hindsight' admittedly.....

But.....Here's an airport virtually 'surrounded' by the Barron River.... Ad Elev 6 ft or so........

There was plenty of warning given of the approach of the cyclone, so why did not the various operators / owners fly out to a 'safer' location, well S of the footprint?
Somewhere 'inland' perhaps?
Charters Towers sounds nice.....Elev 950ft Plus, ..or a weekend in 'Rocky'......

What a waste of some 'good' aircraft.
(Or maybe......?)

David A Carter

17th Dec 2023, 20:16

The flooded aircraft are in a graveyard and had various parts missing. Near the Shorts Belfast in Google Earth.

steelcraft

17th Dec 2023, 21:16

Operators did fly the aircraft out, they know what they are doing When the cyclone passed they where flown back in.
Then the rain came and more rain then most have seen in Cairns. Those aircraft in the photos have not moved in many years.

PiperCameron

17th Dec 2023, 21:41

That's, what, 3 feet of water?!? Hardly serious flooding for Cairns.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/987x582/untitled_9329442bece41089fcd6a9bca56ab85e972daffb.jpg

runway16

17th Dec 2023, 21:52

There are going to be a lot of aircraft write offs. So many wet and soggy aircraft.
Q. What happened to the Belfast? Did it get more than a bird bath splash.
Think of any aircraft with magnesium components in the water.
The insurance companies are going to have their hands full with claims, in addition to all those cars around town that will also be write-offs.

Next question what happened down at Archerfield. Wind damage. Tie downs not holding. Cessna Caravan turned over. Said to have been 13 aircraft damaged as a result of the high winds.
Again the insurance guys will be burning the midnight oil on Christmas day with the Reindeers bring insurance claims to them.
R

CIC

17th Dec 2023, 22:42

Salt water at one end of the airport and silt laden Barron River water to the north.

Control cables and pulleys will need to be slipped out and checked; at least by responsible owners and operators.

PiperCameron

17th Dec 2023, 23:20

Salt water at one end of the airport and silt laden Barron River water to the north.

Control cables and pulleys will need to be slipped out and checked; at least by responsible owners and operators.

There won't be much salt in that water (there's been too much rain!) so not a big deal for the right price.. Anyone want a free aircraft?? :}

helispotter

18th Dec 2023, 00:43

I spotted an S76 helicopter at Cairns airport on ABC News this morning. It didn't look submerged. Anyone know who operates an S76 up there? Or was it just passing through?

Update: I wonder if it is perhaps S-76C VH-IQG which has been pictured at Cairns several times on internet including in 2022:

https://www.airhistory.net/photo/524462/VH-IQG

Kagamuga

18th Dec 2023, 01:06

The S-76 was donated to the Aviation training school in Cairns by Hevilift; along with the Falcon 10, and Piper Cheyenne II from Central Highlands charter in PNG.

spinex

18th Dec 2023, 01:10

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/864x486/1f3d801d_0ba0_4ea2_91ac_0c56ed4f5f49_1b2b69de0961ead79b1e410 2f745123f0490ec89.jpg
Credit per script on image

PiperCameron

18th Dec 2023, 01:15

Well.. it looks like the runway is still open. Getting on and off might be a challenge though!

(That's a great pic, BTW :ok:)

spinex

18th Dec 2023, 01:16

There's also a farcebook video doing the rounds, taken from the road past the GA area, showing a lot of cars partially submerged. Apparently a lot belong to FIFO workers, but I imagine there must be crew stuck elsewhere, dreading what they're going to find on their return. Tough situation all round, not least for the residents of Holloways, Machens etc.

RickNRoll

18th Dec 2023, 05:41

That's, what, 3 feet of water?!? Hardly serious flooding for Cairns.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/987x582/untitled_9329442bece41089fcd6a9bca56ab85e972daffb.jpg
It's record rainfall.

RickNRoll

18th Dec 2023, 20:04

R22 to the rescue, in the rain.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-19/18-lives-saved-far-north-queensland-cairns-flood-chopper-/103244364

The Lion's Den had always been known as being able to withstand the worst flood the region had ever seen.

But now Mr Dear and his mates were watching the 143-year-old pub be consumed, trapping more than a dozen people on its roof.

"The story always has been up here, that the biggest flood went halfway up the bar.

"But in this flood there were 16 people on the apex of the Lion's Den roof, hanging on," he said.

As they watched, a mustering helicopter swooped overhead.

"I must say that this fella is the real hero of the story, his name is Magoo," he said.

The helicopter was a Robinson 22 — a tiny single-engine chopper with just two seats — so the rescue would be done one person at a time.

"He made 16 trips and landed on that roof in the pissing rain, where no other chopper pilot would fly," Mr Dear said.

"He rescued every one of those people.

"While we were rescuing these other dudes, he was just running people back and forward."

TWT

18th Dec 2023, 21:16

That link above doesn't work. Use this one : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-19/18-lives-saved-far-north-queensland-cairns-flood-chopper-/103244364

helispotter

18th Dec 2023, 21:30

Here is coverage of the airport flooding via Australian Aviation magazine:

https://australianaviation.com.au/2023/12/planes-submerged-as-floods-close-cairns-airport-in-jaspers-wake/

PiperCameron

18th Dec 2023, 21:49

Hmm.. in typical AA style, you get more info direct from the source: https://www.cairnsairport.com.au/
UPDATE:8am 19/12/2023:

We are pleased this morning to further confirm that the Cairns Airport runway is clear and serviceable, and we are operational today.

We met with our airline partners and other key stakeholders a short time ago. Passenger flights will recommence at Cairns Airport this morning. Airlines are determining their own flight operations and schedules. Please contact your airline directly for information about specific flights.

We have received a number of enquiries from customers who have vehicles parked at Cairns Airport. The car parks at our domestic and international terminals were not adversely impacted during the flooding event.

If your vehicle was left at Cairns Airport longer than you planned, please direct all queries to [email protected] and our friendly team will get back to you.

Further, we wish to confirm that Airport Avenue, the main access road into Cairns Airport, is open and clear to traffic. Please remain vigilant and stay safe on our roads if you are travelling to the airport.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support throughout this challenging event. This will be our last scheduled update, however if any significant changes arise, we will let you know.

601

19th Dec 2023, 12:50

There are going to be a lot of aircraft write offs.
We had a Baron go under water at the old strip at Moomba in 74. The water was up to the bottom of the instrument panel.
Sand was left behind in the crankcases.
The Baron flew again.
Obviously fresh water at Moomba whereas the Cairns flood could have some salt content.

Squawk7700

19th Dec 2023, 20:11

The floods at Lismore contained all sorts of nasties in the "fresh" water. It was suggested at the time that it was far more corrosive on airframes than salt water.

helispotter

19th Dec 2023, 21:14

The floods at Lismore contained all sorts of nasties in the "fresh" water. It was suggested at the time that it was far more corrosive on airframes than salt water.
...and the photos of aircraft at Cairns with flood waters having already dropped shows their sides caked in mud.

RickNRoll

20th Dec 2023, 03:03

Are they the graveyard planes or active ones?

Pinky the pilot

20th Dec 2023, 07:59

We had a Baron go under water at the old strip at Moomba in 74

Ah yes, that was one of the biggest downpours in that part of the Cooper Basin ever known (by Whitefellas anyway) if I remember correctly.:hmm:

Wasn't that the year that the Birdsville Pub got somewhat 'isolated?':confused::E

Deaf

20th Dec 2023, 13:14

Well before 74 my original instructor Dick Humphrey went into Birdsville during a flood in a Dak (so probably in the 50's) and was over water for 180 miles.

TWT

21st Dec 2023, 20:24

He is the Far North helicopter pilot who saved the lives of more than a dozen people from the roof of a pub as it was submerged by fast-moving floodwater.

But the man still known only as "Magoo" said he was never called to rescue the stricken group from the Lion's Den Hotel — he just happened to be passing by.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-22/helicopter-pilot-magoo-hero-far-north-queensland-flood-rescue/103257320

RickNRoll

21st Dec 2023, 22:39

Redundant.

PiperCameron

21st Dec 2023, 22:50

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-22/helicopter-pilot-magoo-hero-far-north-queensland-flood-rescue/103257320

Impressive! He'll be up for a medal for sure.. and to do that in an R22!! "They don't like heavy rain" he says. Understatement of the century. :ooh:

RickNRoll

21st Dec 2023, 23:52

Blaming the BOM for floods.

https://www.news.com.au/national/weather/its-already-flooded-bom-cops-it-over-far-north-flood-predictions/news-story/5378d00972da22c5c2edaa0924b977ba

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr (https://www.news.com.au/national/weather/australia-christmas-weather-preyuletide-heat-blast-to-be-followed-by-cooler-conditions/news-story/bd864eb0673ee4ffabc038ed8c206640), whose council scored a direct hit from Jasper, told The Australian the Bureau had a lack of local staff.

“If this is so record-breaking, how did no one know this was going to happen? We need to have forecasts closer to what is going on,” he lamented.

Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the finger-pointing from frustrated flood victims was unsurprising given the accounts from the ground.

“People were so surprised with the difference between the Bureau’s forecasts and the actual level of rainfall they’ve had,” she told the Today show on Tuesday morning.

PiperCameron

22nd Dec 2023, 02:09

Blaming the BOM for floods.

Not surprised. They get blamed for fires also. ..and nearly every day in Melbourne!

spinex

22nd Dec 2023, 08:41

Blaming the BOM for floods.

https://www.news.com.au/national/weather/its-already-flooded-bom-cops-it-over-far-north-flood-predictions/news-story/5378d00972da22c5c2edaa0924b977ba

I don't know about blaming BoM for the event, but certainly worth asking questions as to why the rainfall forecasts were so badly off and also why detailed warnings went out so late. A lot of people were lulled into a false sense of security by the fact that the cyclone was downgraded from a Severe storm. Cat 1s and 2s aren't uncommon in the region but rainfall of that intensity isn't the norm.

I follow a couple of private forecasters and one in particular said about 36 hours before landfall that Jasper wouldn't be remembered for the wind, but would be for the rainfall. That wasn't reflected in BoM forecasts until way too late. The problem they're alluding to is that BoM no longer base people locally, who can look out the window and who have an understanding of the on the ground impact of say Barron River flood gauges peaking.

DROPS

23rd Dec 2023, 22:18

The same politically opportunistic loudmouths blaming BOM are the very same who oversaw the defunding of the BOM and have spent 20+ years denying there is any type of significant shift occurring in our climate models. Whilst simultaneously applying political pressure on climate scientists and the BOM themselves not to be so alarmist in their outlooks and warnings.

Now they cry "You didnt warn us".

Gotta love politicians

Captain Dart

23rd Dec 2023, 23:31

It’s the other way round. It’s in a lot of peoples’ interest to push the global warming/climate change/climate emergency/global boiling scam or religion, take your pick…

Research grants, Big Wind, Big Solar, wealth redistribution proponents et al all depend on it.

Your quote ‘shift in our climate models’ is revealing.

Merry Christmas.

aroa

26th Dec 2023, 22:45

Mother Nature rules OK? BoM might forecast but she just does her thing. Don’t blame the BoM that Jasper got hung up on the east coast ranges and let rip. Cyclones normally move on inland. Nobody could foresee what actually occurred.
Climate change ( something that has been going on since earth started) Global warming, boiling, broiling etc is just another forecast. If we puny humans think we can alter the colossal complexities of global “weather” systems, .tell ‘em they’re dreaming.

frangatang

27th Dec 2023, 06:06

I had to evacuate the company turboprop twice, once from Darwin to Katherine and then , when living in cairns in 1986, get the machine out before the cyclone arrived. I think that was to Mareeba.
What peed the wife off was she was left to clear up before it arrived, including a rather heavy canadian canoe.
if l recall, the most rain we had in one week was 27 inches. Mike

RickNRoll

27th Dec 2023, 09:22

CIC

27th Dec 2023, 20:26

Weather is an "Act of God"

Nature takes care of itself, and has done since creation.

Nothing we do, regardless of government ideology, is going to change the weather.

aroa

27th Dec 2023, 21:51

No RnR not a Wiccan. I use “Mother Nature” as the title if you like for the natural world. Yes we fill the place with plastics and toxic fumes and since we produce it we can fix it.
The catastrophists carry on that everything ins getting worse. Not so. Less cyclones recorded. With modern society and any flash flood or fire is around the world in minutes. 50 years ago one probably never even heard about it
There always will be floods fires and famine. Acts of Mother Nature or God or whoever you attribute it to.
Its natures way in the global scheme of things. As is CO2.
But eliminating that is another religion/brain fart/ whatever.
Save the world…Plant a tree. !!

RickNRoll

28th Dec 2023, 06:25

Luckily for us, scientists can use science to understand the natural world to the extent that it is possible. They have a very good understanding of the role of CO2 in the climate system. You have hand waving, they have science.

runway16

28th Dec 2023, 10:05

No photos yet of any other drowned aircraft at Cairns apart from the three cabin twins in the graveyard.

Gents, over to you.

Capt Fathom

28th Dec 2023, 10:34

Perhaps there was nothing else to see!

aroa

28th Dec 2023, 22:01

RnR Buy yourself a copy of Green Murder by Ian Plimer. You’ll find plenty of science in there.
Waves goodbye

Captain Dart

29th Dec 2023, 02:03

Trigger warning! This is from a sceptics’ site:

https://joannenova.com.au/2023/12/the-bom-predicted-a-hot-dry-summer-right-before-the-flooding-rains-came (https://joannenova.com.au/2023/12/the-bom-predicted-a-hot-dry-summer-right-before-the-flooding-rains-came/)

RickNRoll

29th Dec 2023, 04:02

Plimer knows how science works. You publish peer reviewed literature. His book is non-science hand waving for the gullible.

Seabreeze

29th Dec 2023, 07:23

1. The climate is warming (glaciers and polar ice retreating). Sea levels will rise faster.
2. The rate of evaporation of water to water vapour is increasing.
3. More water vapour in the atmosphere means more precipitation overall, as well as more latent heat release in the atmosphere.
4. In some areas storms will become more violent, and rainfall more intense, so more flooding.
5. Global weather patterns will shift leading to changes in farming viability in many areas.

'Tis happening now and will only get worse.

Snakecharma

29th Dec 2023, 09:39

What a load of bollocks.

We cannot draw absolute conclusions from a sliver of historical data when compared to millions of years of actual climatic variation.

The earth has had multiple climatic changes over its history, some warming, some cooling, it’s what the earth does.

I am all for reducing pollution and human impact - up to a point - but our (as in Australia) contribution to “climate change” is 2/10ths of 5/8ths of bugger all.

China is adding more coal fired power stations in a year than we have in total, and we think that shutting down coal and gas fired base load is saving the planet? It is just driving us into economic ruin.

We should be investing in SMR nuclear and using that technology to replace traditional carbon based base load generation, not using batteries (which are dirty from an environmental perspective, or wind and solar which is unpredictable and unreliable.

BigBoreFour

29th Dec 2023, 20:29

Yeah because the data from the Bureau of Meteorology in 12,000 B.C.E was super accurate…🙄

aroa

29th Dec 2023, 22:28

Interesting to see in the Uk storms wind turbines throwing blades. That country has also said and is now right into it that the best form of co2 free power is nuclear.
Idiotic ideologues like BlackoutBowen will destroy the country to “save” it, enrich China, and send Oz broke.
And after 20 years all the solar panels will need burying and replacing further enriching China.
SMR good for 60 years with reliable baseload power which you can’t get from the ‘unreliables’
This country needs energy security and stability for manufacturing. Then we can make things for our own security.
Like drones and rocketry.