Douglas Haywood and Ross Kelly
 

https://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/...-africa-2.html

A second person has died as a result of a plane crash during a test flight in South Africa that left three Australians, including the two pilots, in hospital.Qantas said in a statement the airline’s pilot community was in “deep shock” after A380 captains Douglas Haywood and Ross Kelly, who is retired, were critically injured.The pair boast more than 37,000 hours’ flying experience between them and more than 30 years’ service with Qantas. Most on board were *pilots, flight engineers or aviation enthusiasts.“We were deeply upset to learn that two Qantas pilots, one current and one retired, were on board the vintage aircraft involved in an accident in South Africa on Tuesday,” a Qantas spokesman said last night.“This news has shocked the Qantas pilot community and everyone’s thoughts are with the families. We’ve reached out and are providing whatever support we can.”

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...b250073077.jpg

There is also substantial coverage here in Rumours and News.

Terrible news. The Convair took off to the west but crashed 4 NM to the ESE of the field on a southerly heading. A flight distance of at least 10NM. Some sort of control-ability problem? Propeller not feathering?

The crew injuries are very very bad. Pray for them..

Sounds to me like they managed to fly most of a circuit....

Go and have a look Google Earth. They made a right hand 180 degree turn after take-off and eventually flew a distance enough for two circuits. There was no turn however towards the south-westerly runway to get quickly back to that runway, nor any turn to line up on the runway they departed from. It doesn't make any sense unless there was a control issue.

Perhaps, but I wonder if, having turned base they started running out of power and realised they were not going to get back to the field. They've ended up at at position that is roughly an extension of the base leg. And looking at the 3d form of google maps, the space behind the building that they hit could well have looked appealing...from a distance anyway.

There was a comment that I read yesterday to the effect that they knocked back an ATC offer of 24 to use the longer runway. That also implies to me that, at that point, they had neither control nor power issues.

Hopefully they'll be able to tell us.

Gents please don't speculate. Right now it's very tough in Johannesburg for many..

Forced landing or Ditching not fun. God bless them all hope they recover well and soon.

Where did these guys get their type ratings? I was not aware there were Convairs operating in Aussie.

Both did type flying on type in South Africa before they ferried VH-TAA (technically a VC-131D, ex- ZS-ARV from Rovos Rail) from South Africa just under 2 years ago. This aircraft has just returned to flying recently after Ross had an engine failure in the right hand engine whilst flying it last year. Ross was very aware after that incident of the single engine performance of the a/c, especially as the a/c was very light in the Australian engine failure.
HARS website information: https://hars.org.au/convair-440/

HARS currently has three Convair aircraft:

• VH-TAA – an ex-USAF VC-131D
• VH-EAQ – an ex USN C-131F currently with the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson (this aircraft is not airworthy at this point)
• VH-PDW – a Convair 580 (Allison TurboProp) freighter at the Parkes Air Musem in NSW

I've heard so many good things about Douglas from so many people in the last 24 hours that know him that he must be a stand out bloke. Thoughts are with him and all involved.

They both are…..
I've never actually flown with Doug but having met him numerous times around the network I'd be sure anyone who saw his name on their roster would be pleased.
Ross and I flew together many, many times on the 767 in the 90's. He is one of those blokes you actually look for on your roster in the hope you can have another great trip like the last one you flew with him.
I look forward to seeing his smiling face and having a chat again when he recovers.

Prognosis
 

Anyone in the know about their current medical status?

Thank you V-Jet

Response to the rant by IsDon earlier, which would seem to have been pulled by the administrators.

Yes, my first post using THIS username. I am not and never have been a journalist. I am a retired QF B744 captain with 38 years service and 23000 hours. I have had the pleasure of having both Ross and Doug as members of my crews over the years and hold them in high regard.

Additionally I am experienced in long distance ferry of ancient multi engined aircraft one of which suffered a catastrophic engine failure on take off, fortunately before rotate, so you see my interest here?

Thank you Going Boeing. Much appreciated. Not close to the news this side of the ditch.

Both PDW and PDX have been hauling freight for years in Australia under Pionair as the operator, while over the ditch Air Chatham have 5 in fleet.

VH-PDX Convair 580

VH-PDW Convair 580

...also VH-TAA sister ship to one that crashed..

Thanks for the update on their condition. Much appreciated Going Boeing. Future updates also appreciated

When things settle down, it would be great to hear about this; your perspective and experience would doubtless offer some useful lessons to many of us here.

The main Rumours and News post is chock a block with theorists about the cause. Any news on Ross, Doug, wives, families etc? Current status, prognosis, etc. Like IMPORTANT stuff?

Now that IS good news!

Thanks for the update. It will be good catching up with them for a beer when they return.

Still in induced comas but making progress I'm reliably informed. Fingers crossed everyone..

Thanks for the update TBM-Legend. Hang in there boys!!

Not one for war stories,
Too many variables with old types, engines, performance, but to me this looks like multiple issues, and that is not unusual with old aircraft out of long term storage. Official report will spell it out. The resulting arrival where all pax survived and only a jump seater and a ground victim died is nothing short of amazing, and a credit to Doug and Ross. Bon chance mes amis.

Out of line, Fathom. :=

Thanks roundsounds. Missed that one. An even better result.