Merged: Pel-Air Westwind Ditching off NLK
If the ditching was at around 1030z, after a 3.5 hour flight and an hour completing approaches, then take-off would have been about 0600z, with briefing an hour to an hour and a half before that - say 0430z (as a scratchpad calculation.)
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Of course all you Monday Morning Quarterbacks who are reacting to media reports and speculation would have done it differently.
Hey here is an idea, why don't we express our thoughts and prayers to the Captain, F/O and passengers and let the rest come out in the investigation.
Hey here is an idea, why don't we express our thoughts and prayers to the Captain, F/O and passengers and let the rest come out in the investigation.
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Ok, according to the airport manager Mr Glenn Robinson, the ditching happened about 2130 local. ysnf utc +1130, therefore about 181000Z. time of departure 06 to 0700?? sure the prelim' report will have the actual.
read the last taf first.
TAF AMD YSNF 180958Z 1810/1824 26008KT 9999 -SHRA BKN010 FM181500 16012KT 9999 -SHRA BKN010 TEMPO 1810/1824 4000 SHRA BKN005 RMK
TAF AMD TAF AMD YSNF 180803Z 1808/1824 26008KT 9999 BKN010 FM181500 16012KT 9999 -SHRA BKN010 RMK
TAF YSNF 180437Z 1806/1824 26008KT 9999 SCT020 FM181500 16012KT 9999 -SHRA SCT010 BKN020 RMK
TAF AMD TAF AMD YSNF 180429Z 1804/1818 30012KT 9999 SCT020 FM180600 26008KT 9999 SCT020 RMK
For those with experience flying into this part of the world, what's the legal (cao 82, operator ops manual, jepp or dap) and PRACTICAL alternate min for this aerodrome???????
(Ack to Checkers timings. just posted prior to me)
read the last taf first.
TAF AMD YSNF 180958Z 1810/1824 26008KT 9999 -SHRA BKN010 FM181500 16012KT 9999 -SHRA BKN010 TEMPO 1810/1824 4000 SHRA BKN005 RMK
TAF AMD TAF AMD YSNF 180803Z 1808/1824 26008KT 9999 BKN010 FM181500 16012KT 9999 -SHRA BKN010 RMK
TAF YSNF 180437Z 1806/1824 26008KT 9999 SCT020 FM181500 16012KT 9999 -SHRA SCT010 BKN020 RMK
TAF AMD TAF AMD YSNF 180429Z 1804/1818 30012KT 9999 SCT020 FM180600 26008KT 9999 SCT020 RMK
For those with experience flying into this part of the world, what's the legal (cao 82, operator ops manual, jepp or dap) and PRACTICAL alternate min for this aerodrome???????
(Ack to Checkers timings. just posted prior to me)
Last edited by Iron Bar; 20th Nov 2009 at 14:12.
Ah, the time it consumes, reading all 188 posts. So many repetitive. So many puerile, vacuous and typical of proone blather at it's most gruelling.
(Better keeping trap shut and being thought idiot, than opening same, resulting in no doubt whatever.)
(Better keeping trap shut and being thought idiot, than opening same, resulting in no doubt whatever.)
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DD
You sound suspiciously like a never-has-been wannabe pilot who is jealous with the angle the media are taking on this particular event.
Your vexatious, purile and unsubstatiated personal observations obviously stem from your irrelevant existence somewhere in the 'western suburbs' where you view persons who live more eastwards from you and who happen to be more physically appealing than you, with jealous contempt.
You purport to be an expert on aviation procedures and privy to some inside information yet you seem to be consumed by a personal vendetta agenda that exposes you as a fraud.
Get back in your hole D**k Head and wait for the true factors of this event to be revealed.
KLN
0900/21 - I see you have deleted your highly defamatory and self serving post - the first evidence of commonsense you have displayed.
You sound suspiciously like a never-has-been wannabe pilot who is jealous with the angle the media are taking on this particular event.
Your vexatious, purile and unsubstatiated personal observations obviously stem from your irrelevant existence somewhere in the 'western suburbs' where you view persons who live more eastwards from you and who happen to be more physically appealing than you, with jealous contempt.
You purport to be an expert on aviation procedures and privy to some inside information yet you seem to be consumed by a personal vendetta agenda that exposes you as a fraud.
Get back in your hole D**k Head and wait for the true factors of this event to be revealed.
KLN
0900/21 - I see you have deleted your highly defamatory and self serving post - the first evidence of commonsense you have displayed.
Last edited by KLN94; 20th Nov 2009 at 21:10.
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From the news reports of last night, I noted with interest the comments from the patient's husband ..
he was surprised that the ditching itself was not as bad as he expected impact wise, but the cabin filled with water very quickly as the door blew in, and they all escaped through an emergency window.
As for the lady herself being a walk on patient - barely and only with considerable assistance.
he was surprised that the ditching itself was not as bad as he expected impact wise, but the cabin filled with water very quickly as the door blew in, and they all escaped through an emergency window.
As for the lady herself being a walk on patient - barely and only with considerable assistance.
The opening mechanism for the Westwind door swings it inside about six inches, before then allowing it to swing out. When I heard of the ditching, I was amazed that they were able to open the door against the water pressure - obviously they weren't!
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Guessing here, that as the life raft would have been too big to pass through the escape window, and as there wasn't any hope of opening the door outward due water pressure, that ends the discussion about non deployment of the raft regardless of where it was?
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Dear A1322, that diversion of the GG's RAAF 737 BBJ, happened months before the incident of the PelAir ditching off NLK.
The reason for the GG's diversion was the pilot of the RAAF 737 BBJ had to battle 45+ kts cross winds, and 3 missed approaches. BUT the to the amazement of the RAAF pilots, the RPT Our Airline 737 made 1 approach and successfully landed 5 minutes after the RAAF had diverted. The RAAF pilots couldnt believe that the Our Airline 737 landed on the island.
The reason for the GG's diversion was the pilot of the RAAF 737 BBJ had to battle 45+ kts cross winds, and 3 missed approaches. BUT the to the amazement of the RAAF pilots, the RPT Our Airline 737 made 1 approach and successfully landed 5 minutes after the RAAF had diverted. The RAAF pilots couldnt believe that the Our Airline 737 landed on the island.
I guess we must accept the Board Chairman's explanation, however given a similar set of circumstances - no Mayday call, only three in lifejackets, no life rafts, ditching two miles off shore - I think it would be natural to assume the pilot may have been attempting a home made "precision" approach during which the aircraft unintentionally impacted the sea and the lack of motion lotion may or may not be correct.
what's the legal (cao 82, operator ops manual, jepp or dap) and PRACTICAL alternate min for this aerodrome???????
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Second hand, but from someone who was onboard the aircraft:
-There was no advance warning of a ditching.
-The main door was opened (not sure by whom), at which point the aircraft began to sink quickly, everyone exited through the emergency exit.
-All occupants well, apart from some seat belt bruising.
-There was no advance warning of a ditching.
-The main door was opened (not sure by whom), at which point the aircraft began to sink quickly, everyone exited through the emergency exit.
-All occupants well, apart from some seat belt bruising.
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Here ( as predicted by one very wise PPRUNER above ) is the first sign of a turn in the media :
Someone suggested praying, yes, I guess you could pray he keeps his licence and Pelair keep their AOC......if they deserve to 
) is the first sign of a turn in the media :
The pilot hailed a hero for ditching his plane safely off Norfolk Island this week may have been dangerously negligent after reportedly making the journey without enough fuel.
Captain Dominic James was praised for his "amazing" efforts in saving all six people on board the Pel-Air and Careflight jet on Wednesday night after bad weather thwarted several landing attempts on the island.
The medical evacuation plane, on its way from Samoa to Melbourne, was very low on fuel when Captain James safely landed it onto seas off the island.
But a new report has cast doubt the pilot's heroism with claims Captain James may have taken off from Apia with inadequate levels of fuel to make the journey.
The report on the Crikey website said the plane failed "to meet the requirements of the catch-all section of Civil Aviation Order CAO 82.0 (2.4), which relates to fuel reserves".
The claim could have serious consequences for Captain James and Pel-Air's owner REX, which was recently awarded lucrative medical aviation contracts, the report said.
The carrier has previously admitted the pilot ditched the plane into the sea without making a Mayday call, which goes against aviation regulations.
Earlier this week Pel-Air Aviation chairman John Sharp said he was very proud of Captain James — a former Cleo Bachelor of the Year contestant — and first officer.
"Their professionalism stood out on the day and made a substantial difference to the outcome," Mr Sharp said.
"They executed what would have to be described as a perfect landing on water," he told reporters.
Captain Dominic James was praised for his "amazing" efforts in saving all six people on board the Pel-Air and Careflight jet on Wednesday night after bad weather thwarted several landing attempts on the island.
The medical evacuation plane, on its way from Samoa to Melbourne, was very low on fuel when Captain James safely landed it onto seas off the island.
But a new report has cast doubt the pilot's heroism with claims Captain James may have taken off from Apia with inadequate levels of fuel to make the journey.
The report on the Crikey website said the plane failed "to meet the requirements of the catch-all section of Civil Aviation Order CAO 82.0 (2.4), which relates to fuel reserves".
The claim could have serious consequences for Captain James and Pel-Air's owner REX, which was recently awarded lucrative medical aviation contracts, the report said.
The carrier has previously admitted the pilot ditched the plane into the sea without making a Mayday call, which goes against aviation regulations.
Earlier this week Pel-Air Aviation chairman John Sharp said he was very proud of Captain James — a former Cleo Bachelor of the Year contestant — and first officer.
"Their professionalism stood out on the day and made a substantial difference to the outcome," Mr Sharp said.
"They executed what would have to be described as a perfect landing on water," he told reporters.
TV star Simone Jade McKinnon pregnant to hero pilot Dominic James | The Daily Telegraph
THE hero pilot who saved the lives of his five passengers including a critically-injured woman is expecting a baby with his former girlfriend, TV favourite Simone Jade McKinnon.
Dominic James, the 33-year-old former Cleo Bachelor of the Year who on Wednesday was forced to ditch his aircraft in waters off Norfolk Island, only learned of McKinnon's pregnancy shortly after they broke up.
While sources close to the expectant parents declined to comment on the relationship, McKinnon revealed this month there was no doubt the father of her child would play a role in the baby's life.
She starred in Channel 9's McLeod's Daughters and was this year nominated for a Gold Logie.
Australia's Next Top Model mentor Jonathon Pease said that James - his friend of 20 years - was taking the near-death incident "in his stride".
"When I read about the accident, I thought 'That's typical Dom.' He's the man I'd want next to me in a crisis. He's a legend," Pease said.
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Related CoverageToo cool: Hero pilot a magazine pin-up
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His eligible bachelor status was also enshrined, his mate said.
"If he's not the most eligible bachelor after that, I don't know what you've got to do?"
But as his heroics were being praised yesterday, questions were being asked about how the aircraft ran out of fuel while enroute to Melbourne from Samoa.
Online aviation industry forums were rife with questions about whether the aircraft's operator Pel-Air faces sanctions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Industry sources were staggered that the aircraft could be left without sufficient fuel to fly to an alternative destination.
Pel-Air would not address allegations it had not met aviation regulations. "The pilot complied with the company operations manual," is all the company said in a statement.
Pel-Air also confirmed the aircraft had been equipped with seven lifejackets, even though only three passengers were able to access them in time. The group was left floating in the water, huddled around those lucky enough to be wearing lifejackets.
There were also two liferafts on board the plane, capable of carrying six people each.
The remaining lifejackets, and both liferafts, sank with the aircraft three minutes after it hit the water.
Mr James has not spoken publicly about the incident since returning to Sydney, but friends said he was taking it in his stride.
The president of the Young Variety Club, which is holding a festive fundraiser next weekend, was quick to tell organisers: "Don't worry, I'll be right to go in the Santa Fun Run".
He has used his celebrity connections in his fundraising, calling on mates like Pease, Laura Csortan and Lizzy Lovette to volunteer their time.
THE hero pilot who saved the lives of his five passengers including a critically-injured woman is expecting a baby with his former girlfriend, TV favourite Simone Jade McKinnon.
Dominic James, the 33-year-old former Cleo Bachelor of the Year who on Wednesday was forced to ditch his aircraft in waters off Norfolk Island, only learned of McKinnon's pregnancy shortly after they broke up.
While sources close to the expectant parents declined to comment on the relationship, McKinnon revealed this month there was no doubt the father of her child would play a role in the baby's life.
She starred in Channel 9's McLeod's Daughters and was this year nominated for a Gold Logie.
Australia's Next Top Model mentor Jonathon Pease said that James - his friend of 20 years - was taking the near-death incident "in his stride".
"When I read about the accident, I thought 'That's typical Dom.' He's the man I'd want next to me in a crisis. He's a legend," Pease said.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related CoverageToo cool: Hero pilot a magazine pin-up
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
His eligible bachelor status was also enshrined, his mate said.
"If he's not the most eligible bachelor after that, I don't know what you've got to do?"
But as his heroics were being praised yesterday, questions were being asked about how the aircraft ran out of fuel while enroute to Melbourne from Samoa.
Online aviation industry forums were rife with questions about whether the aircraft's operator Pel-Air faces sanctions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Industry sources were staggered that the aircraft could be left without sufficient fuel to fly to an alternative destination.
Pel-Air would not address allegations it had not met aviation regulations. "The pilot complied with the company operations manual," is all the company said in a statement.
Pel-Air also confirmed the aircraft had been equipped with seven lifejackets, even though only three passengers were able to access them in time. The group was left floating in the water, huddled around those lucky enough to be wearing lifejackets.
There were also two liferafts on board the plane, capable of carrying six people each.
The remaining lifejackets, and both liferafts, sank with the aircraft three minutes after it hit the water.
Mr James has not spoken publicly about the incident since returning to Sydney, but friends said he was taking it in his stride.
The president of the Young Variety Club, which is holding a festive fundraiser next weekend, was quick to tell organisers: "Don't worry, I'll be right to go in the Santa Fun Run".
He has used his celebrity connections in his fundraising, calling on mates like Pease, Laura Csortan and Lizzy Lovette to volunteer their time.
