Frederick Valentich
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is it still true that there has never been a pilot survive a ditching into Bass Strait?
One of two pilots survived a ditching on an Aero Commander (not sure of the year, mid 80's possibly) but was not able to be rescued despite being found floating alive by an AN F50. The rescue effort was an absolute shambles, a blight on the SAR arrangements at the time, and a bloke died where he shouldn't have. The ABC did a good doco on it called "Search without Rescue" - well worth a look.
witwiw.
The day/date was Sunday 17 July 1983. The AN aircraft was VH-FNO a F27-400. At one stage FNO with passengers onboard was operated at 300 ft AMSL.
You are correct about certain aspects of the rescue attempt being a shambles such as aircraft being requisitioned that were not suitable.
In hindsight the outcome may have been different if the Aero Commander had turned around and headed for the Tasmanian coast as suggested by ATC.
The day/date was Sunday 17 July 1983. The AN aircraft was VH-FNO a F27-400. At one stage FNO with passengers onboard was operated at 300 ft AMSL.
You are correct about certain aspects of the rescue attempt being a shambles such as aircraft being requisitioned that were not suitable.
In hindsight the outcome may have been different if the Aero Commander had turned around and headed for the Tasmanian coast as suggested by ATC.
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About 20 years ago a chap left Latrobe Valley in his Thruster like aircraft for his destination of Yarram. This flight was obviously pre-GPS days and the conditions were 7/8, so the pilot found a hole and went VFR over the top.
He estimated the most suitable time to descend based on his usual speed of around 50 knots. He couldn't find a hole so searched around for a while and found one.
When he descended he was well and truly over the beginning of Bass Strait. He saw a small island nearby, headed for it and landed immediately. There was a very strong northerly on top of the clouds that he wasn't aware of. He had landed on Cliffy island and done some damage to his undercarriage so there was no way he could take off.
Through some sheer luck a nearby boat spotted him land and he was able to arrange a ride back and the later recovery of his aircraft by boat.
So there you have it, a successful near ditching in Bass Strait!
He estimated the most suitable time to descend based on his usual speed of around 50 knots. He couldn't find a hole so searched around for a while and found one.
When he descended he was well and truly over the beginning of Bass Strait. He saw a small island nearby, headed for it and landed immediately. There was a very strong northerly on top of the clouds that he wasn't aware of. He had landed on Cliffy island and done some damage to his undercarriage so there was no way he could take off.
Through some sheer luck a nearby boat spotted him land and he was able to arrange a ride back and the later recovery of his aircraft by boat.
So there you have it, a successful near ditching in Bass Strait!
Doco
"Search Without Rescue" was funded by Dick Smith, I believe.
Its very sobering watching to see how brain dead bureaucrats can kill someone by following a "rule" book. Common sense to save a life is just not on !! Or allowing a SE helicopter to effect a quick rescue.
Wasn't the last time that SAR cock-ups prevailed either. A C 206 out of Mt Isa for Atherton got lost in the smoke, CNS, MBA ATH region, last light and beyond. The only thing available in those days for location was TVL radar. All they had to do was get him to climb and head SE and he would have been on the screen in less than 30 mins.
But no..we'll direct him to CNS by the strength of his voice /radio signals! NO VDF either, so due to his distance to/from CNS...OR the mountains, as the signal waxed and waned they never did get to bring them in.
AND to really make it cruel, he was flown around for 2 and a half hours before fuel exhaustion dropped them all into the drink or the jungle, never to be seen again.
ENOUGH time to go to TVL... AND back again.
Mega search after at a cost of mega millions, but nary a thing ever found.
Dont think a UFO involved in this one.!
See if you can get the transcript ...Never even a response to my requests.
And as for the windsurfer off Cape York for TI...and missed.
That wasnt the only 'bum steer' of that episode. :mad
Its very sobering watching to see how brain dead bureaucrats can kill someone by following a "rule" book. Common sense to save a life is just not on !! Or allowing a SE helicopter to effect a quick rescue.
Wasn't the last time that SAR cock-ups prevailed either. A C 206 out of Mt Isa for Atherton got lost in the smoke, CNS, MBA ATH region, last light and beyond. The only thing available in those days for location was TVL radar. All they had to do was get him to climb and head SE and he would have been on the screen in less than 30 mins.
But no..we'll direct him to CNS by the strength of his voice /radio signals! NO VDF either, so due to his distance to/from CNS...OR the mountains, as the signal waxed and waned they never did get to bring them in.
AND to really make it cruel, he was flown around for 2 and a half hours before fuel exhaustion dropped them all into the drink or the jungle, never to be seen again.
ENOUGH time to go to TVL... AND back again.
Mega search after at a cost of mega millions, but nary a thing ever found.
Dont think a UFO involved in this one.!
See if you can get the transcript ...Never even a response to my requests.
And as for the windsurfer off Cape York for TI...and missed.
That wasnt the only 'bum steer' of that episode. :mad
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is it ever possible to get copies of the tapes of a loss in bass strait?
the incident I'm thinking of involved a 172 out of warnambool.
there has been so much bull**** discussion locally that I would just like to hear the tapes myself to get some inkling of the facts.
The pilot was Bill Bell in a 172 between Warnambool and King Island about 10 years ago.
he used to do my biennials. I wonder to this day what actually happened.
the incident I'm thinking of involved a 172 out of warnambool.
there has been so much bull**** discussion locally that I would just like to hear the tapes myself to get some inkling of the facts.
The pilot was Bill Bell in a 172 between Warnambool and King Island about 10 years ago.
he used to do my biennials. I wonder to this day what actually happened.
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W-8
I have met Bill Bell and was involved with him when he was ferrying from USA.
I was also involved with SAR when he disappeared and listened to the ATC recording of his Mayday message.
The Mayday call was made because of "engine failure" yet there was the loud roar of C172 engine at 2400 RPM in the background.
Bill had some deep personal problems which any of us might find hard to come to terms with. RIP Bill.
I have met Bill Bell and was involved with him when he was ferrying from USA.
I was also involved with SAR when he disappeared and listened to the ATC recording of his Mayday message.
The Mayday call was made because of "engine failure" yet there was the loud roar of C172 engine at 2400 RPM in the background.
Bill had some deep personal problems which any of us might find hard to come to terms with. RIP Bill.
Last edited by uncle8; 30th Sep 2013 at 12:58.
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does anyone know what the aircraft rego was. (the aircraft bill was flying)
I've heard that it was the sweetest 172 on the airfield and also that it was the oldest heap of crap in the area.
I wish people would stop telling me dribble.
not you ppruners. the guys telling me dribble are on my airfield.
Btw Trish still has not been able to dispose of bill's hangar because there was no body. 10 years now. heavens the mess these vanishings cause.
I've heard that it was the sweetest 172 on the airfield and also that it was the oldest heap of crap in the area.
I wish people would stop telling me dribble.
not you ppruners. the guys telling me dribble are on my airfield.
Btw Trish still has not been able to dispose of bill's hangar because there was no body. 10 years now. heavens the mess these vanishings cause.
Last edited by dubbleyew eight; 30th Sep 2013 at 15:15.
ahem......with little encouragement I can talk drivel with the best of 'em
that's what the petticoat government says.......bless 'er
on the other hand the plumbing is still in A1 shape
(if you are not incontinent you might just be.....ALL AT SEA)
there as many books on UFOs that purport to tell the IV (no Virginia, we are not really talking about drips) story as there are hypotheses and wild flights of fancy as to who Harold Holt is shacked up with today
Fred's nickname was Ivan......before you make ridiculous assertion of obscurity
and speaking of Russians there is a pilot of Russian descent called George at Clamback and Hennessy who tells some exceeding droll yarns about RC , his unwonted swims and his scepticism about your average life-raft's serviceability
FROM WIKI -
History of Incidents - Aviation
The first aircraft to go missing in Bass Strait was a military Airco DH.9A that was engaged in a search for the missing schooner Amelia J in 1920 — it was believed to have gone into the sea off the southern coast of Flinders Island.
One of the first Bass Strait airliners, the de Havilland DH86 'Miss Hobart', went missing soon after entering service in 1934, only a small amount of wreckage being found on the Victorian coast. A year later, a similar aircraft was lost with all on board off Flinders Island.
During the Second World War, several aircraft — mostly RAAF Bristol Beaufort bombers — were lost during exercises in Bass Strait while on training flights out of air bases, mostly Sale, Victoria. These accidents were probably caused by the inexperienced crew crashing into the sea while performing low-level bombing practice — similar accidents occurred over land.
In 1972, a de Havilland Tiger Moth flown by Brenda Hean and Max Price went missing while on a flight from Tasmania to Canberra as part of protests against the flooding of Lake Pedder for a hydroelectricity scheme. It was believed to have crashed at sea somewhere between the East Coast and Flinders Island. Sabotage by pro-development interests was alleged.
The most famous incident, and the one that has been the inspiration for paranormal explanations, was the Valentich Disappearance in 1978.
^ Millwood, Scott (2008) Whatever happened to Brenda Hean? Crows Nest, NSW. Allen and Unwin. — based on the research into the documentary of the same name — has some material regarding the suspicions.
Broxam & Nash, Tasmanian Shipwrecks, Volumes I and II, Navarine Publishing, Canberra, 1998 and 2000,
Kevin Killey and Gary Lester, The Devil's Meridian, Lester-Townsend, 1980,
Macarthur Job, Air Crash, Volume One, Aerospace Publications, Canberra, 1991,
Jack Loney, Mysteries of the Bass Strait Triangle, Neptune Press, 1st ed. 1980.
that's what the petticoat government says.......bless 'er
on the other hand the plumbing is still in A1 shape
(if you are not incontinent you might just be.....ALL AT SEA)
there as many books on UFOs that purport to tell the IV (no Virginia, we are not really talking about drips) story as there are hypotheses and wild flights of fancy as to who Harold Holt is shacked up with today
Fred's nickname was Ivan......before you make ridiculous assertion of obscurity
and speaking of Russians there is a pilot of Russian descent called George at Clamback and Hennessy who tells some exceeding droll yarns about RC , his unwonted swims and his scepticism about your average life-raft's serviceability
FROM WIKI -
History of Incidents - Aviation
The first aircraft to go missing in Bass Strait was a military Airco DH.9A that was engaged in a search for the missing schooner Amelia J in 1920 — it was believed to have gone into the sea off the southern coast of Flinders Island.
One of the first Bass Strait airliners, the de Havilland DH86 'Miss Hobart', went missing soon after entering service in 1934, only a small amount of wreckage being found on the Victorian coast. A year later, a similar aircraft was lost with all on board off Flinders Island.
During the Second World War, several aircraft — mostly RAAF Bristol Beaufort bombers — were lost during exercises in Bass Strait while on training flights out of air bases, mostly Sale, Victoria. These accidents were probably caused by the inexperienced crew crashing into the sea while performing low-level bombing practice — similar accidents occurred over land.
In 1972, a de Havilland Tiger Moth flown by Brenda Hean and Max Price went missing while on a flight from Tasmania to Canberra as part of protests against the flooding of Lake Pedder for a hydroelectricity scheme. It was believed to have crashed at sea somewhere between the East Coast and Flinders Island. Sabotage by pro-development interests was alleged.
The most famous incident, and the one that has been the inspiration for paranormal explanations, was the Valentich Disappearance in 1978.
^ Millwood, Scott (2008) Whatever happened to Brenda Hean? Crows Nest, NSW. Allen and Unwin. — based on the research into the documentary of the same name — has some material regarding the suspicions.
Broxam & Nash, Tasmanian Shipwrecks, Volumes I and II, Navarine Publishing, Canberra, 1998 and 2000,
Kevin Killey and Gary Lester, The Devil's Meridian, Lester-Townsend, 1980,
Macarthur Job, Air Crash, Volume One, Aerospace Publications, Canberra, 1991,
Jack Loney, Mysteries of the Bass Strait Triangle, Neptune Press, 1st ed. 1980.
Last edited by Fantome; 30th Sep 2013 at 15:58.
A Rockwell RC112 Commander (VH-MHW) ditched in the Bass Strait in the late seventies. The pilot was Glen Conrad, who was rescued, none the worse for wear, by a fishing boat. He went on to fly in South America in some 'interesting' operations and ended up in the Sudan flying for the U.N. He has written a book called, 'Walk a mile in my shoes'.
He also completed a few ferries from the US and is now retired. I keep in touch with him and recommend his book.
He also completed a few ferries from the US and is now retired. I keep in touch with him and recommend his book.
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George,
Thanks for the info. I've just downloaded the book and look forward to reading it.
I remember that ditching - there was no PPrune in those days, so the facts were hard to come by, but there were some stories. One was that the captain of the fishing boat was.....wait for it..........his brother in law!! Another was that he had written another aircraft off not long before the ditching.
Hope this part of his life is covered in the book and thanks again for bringing it up.
Thanks for the info. I've just downloaded the book and look forward to reading it.
I remember that ditching - there was no PPrune in those days, so the facts were hard to come by, but there were some stories. One was that the captain of the fishing boat was.....wait for it..........his brother in law!! Another was that he had written another aircraft off not long before the ditching.
Hope this part of his life is covered in the book and thanks again for bringing it up.
Last edited by uncle8; 1st Oct 2013 at 03:47.
WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES - GLEN CONRAD
Book Description
Publication Date: January 20, 2003
After being set up by a CIA operative organization and arrested many times by the US Department of Treasury, Conrad pulls off one of the greatest known escapes from a war zone in battle-torn Zaire. Accepting death before defeat he repossesses his aircraft from President Mobutu Se Se and his Generals. Later, whilst setting up a food supply airlift to Bosnia Conrad became a prisoner in Russia. He was eventually documented and recognised by the US Government and the United Nations for his courage, persistence and character.
This is the story of one man's battle to achieve his goal of becoming a pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force in the 1970's and the subsequent journeys on which life took him...and he took life!*
This often-humorous autobiography travels time and distance, revealing a man whose efforts and successes are the direct merits of his personal courage and self-motivation. Conrad's escape from El Salvador is a gripping testament to his driving force and determination, personifying him in the minds of all that know him.
Eventually becoming the owner of two Lockheed C130 Hercules aircraft, Conrad rises to the top, working for agencies of the United States Government, repossessing aircraft from the Greek Air Force and flying famine relief for the United Nations. All is not well among factions of the CIA however, and Conrad is a marked man with the US State Department and many Divisions of the US Government eager to aid his demise.
This is an inspirational story of true personal achievement and courage under fire. Conrad is a man who is not afraid to perpetually strive for the keys to his destiny, challenge the future and give fate a helping hand when it is needed.*
This is his story.
*Show more
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
In an awful way, world hunger leads to broken sprits, malnutrition and death. On the other hand, the same problem gives to others the opportunity to do something concrete about it; to turn it into a way of healing and ultimately, inculcation of pride. The United Nations "World Food Program" is such an inspiration.
I know this because I spent four years seeing up close the atrocities of dictators and their self-interested military and non military leaderships. Dictators such as ex President Mobutu of Zaire held positions of power by way of force. Generals to these presidents, such as Baramoto of Zaire, Adid of Somalia and Taylor of Liberia , provide the administration for the force while the population provides the pathway for cheap cultivation of commercial goods to be sold on open markets ensuring the powerful their much needed luxury and the level of protection they desire. Such are the spoils of force.
I spent many days on many separate occasions in United States, African and Russian jails,
where I used the time to consider what I could do in response to the overwhelming power directed at me from horrendously dark corridors of US Government Departments and Intelligence Agencies. I gave long, hard thought to the deception and manoeuvers of the murderous dictators and generals who wanted me and my aircraft stopped from delivering food because this weakened their hold on the controlled civilian population. The generals mainly wanted the aircraft to move troops while it is alleged that some US Government agencies including the "NACA" (National Air Carriers Association) just wanted to assist their mate " Southern Air Transport", (S.A.T. was recreated from Air America). S.A.T.'s hope was that I would be arrested and my challenge to reduce the cost of airborne food delivery by military aircraft would be finished. The powerful could continue on as usual.
Make a difference. Stop the reign of bullies. Speak up when government's lie. Don't complacently accept that people should starve. That's the democratic thing to do.
As for me, I did what I set out to do. I survived. I found support from the US Department of State and the Department of Treasury and stayed out of jail, beat Southern Air Transport, airdropped thousands of tons of food and became an advisor to the United Nations.
My integrity restored, I moved back to Australia, my experience only detectable by a wry smile and a slight limp on cold crisp mornings.
Book Description
Publication Date: January 20, 2003
After being set up by a CIA operative organization and arrested many times by the US Department of Treasury, Conrad pulls off one of the greatest known escapes from a war zone in battle-torn Zaire. Accepting death before defeat he repossesses his aircraft from President Mobutu Se Se and his Generals. Later, whilst setting up a food supply airlift to Bosnia Conrad became a prisoner in Russia. He was eventually documented and recognised by the US Government and the United Nations for his courage, persistence and character.
This is the story of one man's battle to achieve his goal of becoming a pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force in the 1970's and the subsequent journeys on which life took him...and he took life!*
This often-humorous autobiography travels time and distance, revealing a man whose efforts and successes are the direct merits of his personal courage and self-motivation. Conrad's escape from El Salvador is a gripping testament to his driving force and determination, personifying him in the minds of all that know him.
Eventually becoming the owner of two Lockheed C130 Hercules aircraft, Conrad rises to the top, working for agencies of the United States Government, repossessing aircraft from the Greek Air Force and flying famine relief for the United Nations. All is not well among factions of the CIA however, and Conrad is a marked man with the US State Department and many Divisions of the US Government eager to aid his demise.
This is an inspirational story of true personal achievement and courage under fire. Conrad is a man who is not afraid to perpetually strive for the keys to his destiny, challenge the future and give fate a helping hand when it is needed.*
This is his story.
*Show more
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
In an awful way, world hunger leads to broken sprits, malnutrition and death. On the other hand, the same problem gives to others the opportunity to do something concrete about it; to turn it into a way of healing and ultimately, inculcation of pride. The United Nations "World Food Program" is such an inspiration.
I know this because I spent four years seeing up close the atrocities of dictators and their self-interested military and non military leaderships. Dictators such as ex President Mobutu of Zaire held positions of power by way of force. Generals to these presidents, such as Baramoto of Zaire, Adid of Somalia and Taylor of Liberia , provide the administration for the force while the population provides the pathway for cheap cultivation of commercial goods to be sold on open markets ensuring the powerful their much needed luxury and the level of protection they desire. Such are the spoils of force.
I spent many days on many separate occasions in United States, African and Russian jails,
where I used the time to consider what I could do in response to the overwhelming power directed at me from horrendously dark corridors of US Government Departments and Intelligence Agencies. I gave long, hard thought to the deception and manoeuvers of the murderous dictators and generals who wanted me and my aircraft stopped from delivering food because this weakened their hold on the controlled civilian population. The generals mainly wanted the aircraft to move troops while it is alleged that some US Government agencies including the "NACA" (National Air Carriers Association) just wanted to assist their mate " Southern Air Transport", (S.A.T. was recreated from Air America). S.A.T.'s hope was that I would be arrested and my challenge to reduce the cost of airborne food delivery by military aircraft would be finished. The powerful could continue on as usual.
Make a difference. Stop the reign of bullies. Speak up when government's lie. Don't complacently accept that people should starve. That's the democratic thing to do.
As for me, I did what I set out to do. I survived. I found support from the US Department of State and the Department of Treasury and stayed out of jail, beat Southern Air Transport, airdropped thousands of tons of food and became an advisor to the United Nations.
My integrity restored, I moved back to Australia, my experience only detectable by a wry smile and a slight limp on cold crisp mornings.
Last edited by Fantome; 2nd Oct 2013 at 18:07.
Yes, that's Glen. He has led an interesting life. Some of us just fly from ILS to ILS and others do the adventure thing. The scariest thing I've ever seen are fat cabin crew and cold coffee. I fly freight now which is even more boring. Boring is good in this flying business. Being shot at or attacked by UFO's is best left to others.
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At the other end of the country though.
Perhaps there was a meteorite(s) at the time, and overhead an aircraft would serve as adequate distraction to put someone in the drink.
Far-fetched, perhaps. But no more than the X-files explanation. A true mystery.
Perhaps there was a meteorite(s) at the time, and overhead an aircraft would serve as adequate distraction to put someone in the drink.
Far-fetched, perhaps. But no more than the X-files explanation. A true mystery.