Western NSW Airlines MU2 crash Bathurst 1990?
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Western NSW Airlines MU2 crash Bathurst 1990?
Both Aviation Safety Net and the so called Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives have details (copied each other?) of a fatal accident to a Western NSW Airlines MU2 VH-WMU at Barthurst, NSW on 7 November 1990 (or perhaps 1989?). Crashed on approach in fog, killing the pilot. Flight from Bankstown with bank documents. However, neither the ATSB or Safety Reporting apparently have any record of such an accident. Assuming this aircraft did crash, does any one have a copy of the accident report or any additional details re the circumstances, press reports etc. If it didn't crash what happened to VH-WMU?
Also another MU2. In 1990 Transexecutive MU2 VH-UZD was damaged in a wind storm (with hail?) 'at Brisbane'. Can anyone provide the date of the storm, other aircraft damaged etc? The MU2 was later sold to Turbine Aircraft Marketing Inc as N513NA but apparently didn't fly again and was broken up.
Also another MU2. In 1990 Transexecutive MU2 VH-UZD was damaged in a wind storm (with hail?) 'at Brisbane'. Can anyone provide the date of the storm, other aircraft damaged etc? The MU2 was later sold to Turbine Aircraft Marketing Inc as N513NA but apparently didn't fly again and was broken up.
Hope this helps Regards RW
VH-UZD still intact 8/89
Damaged in storm 24/12/89
VH-WMU after accident 23/11/90
https://www.austairdata.com.au/compo...36323-vh-uzd-2
https://www.austairdata.com.au/compo...37754-vh-wmu-1
VH-UZD still intact 8/89
Damaged in storm 24/12/89
VH-WMU after accident 23/11/90
https://www.austairdata.com.au/compo...36323-vh-uzd-2
https://www.austairdata.com.au/compo...37754-vh-wmu-1
Last edited by Rotor Work; 14th Feb 2019 at 10:21.
I was on the ramp at Bathurst when this happened.
The pilot came barrelling over the top of the ramp at about 300ft in a 45deg turn trying to turn to the north east to teardrop onto 17, he pulled to tight and stalled/mushed onto the western flyover area.
The fuselage was not breached, the load shifted and the pilots foot was stuck under the rudder pedals, I was told that he asphyxiated by smoke inhalation as he could not get out and as you cant open the front side windows in a ricerocket.
It was pretty distressing because no one could do anything even after the fireies showed up and even more so that the Eastern flight (I want to say a bandit or maybe a junkstream) landed about 10 min later and it was cavok within about half an hour.
Anecdotally, part of the problem was that the MU2's were doing longer BN-SY-ML sectors until only a few weeks before and then they were put on the western runs. The crew went from 90mins plus in CTA to a 19min BK-BTH sector OCTA SPIFR
The swiss cheese certainly lined up that day.
The pilot came barrelling over the top of the ramp at about 300ft in a 45deg turn trying to turn to the north east to teardrop onto 17, he pulled to tight and stalled/mushed onto the western flyover area.
The fuselage was not breached, the load shifted and the pilots foot was stuck under the rudder pedals, I was told that he asphyxiated by smoke inhalation as he could not get out and as you cant open the front side windows in a ricerocket.
It was pretty distressing because no one could do anything even after the fireies showed up and even more so that the Eastern flight (I want to say a bandit or maybe a junkstream) landed about 10 min later and it was cavok within about half an hour.
Anecdotally, part of the problem was that the MU2's were doing longer BN-SY-ML sectors until only a few weeks before and then they were put on the western runs. The crew went from 90mins plus in CTA to a 19min BK-BTH sector OCTA SPIFR
The swiss cheese certainly lined up that day.
Also damaged in the Brisbane storm -
Tangalooma Otter ( boxed back to US/Canada )
Sungold PA31 flipped upside down - wrecked
Tangalooma Otter ( boxed back to US/Canada )
Sungold PA31 flipped upside down - wrecked
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Cheers
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I'm not allowed to post URLs yet, but the article number is 122322256
The local paper from 1990 hasn't been archived, so can't get any additional info there
So it definitely did occur. Odd that there isn't an ATSB/CASA investigation report for it...
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From memory
From memory between the great western highway and threshold. Believe the door lock had a pin to push or something that no one on the site knew of how to activate/release. Was told about the incident many years ago.
I was a witness to the MU2 accident at YBTH in 1990.
I was on the main apron, the aircraft approached from the east at approx. 300' agl, turned right onto a heading of approx. 045, extended gear, flap was at about half, speed quite low, guessing maybe 125KIAS.
The aircraft then disappeared from my view due to fog patches/low cloud (fog that was in the process of lifting).
Aircraft impacted the ground approx. 300m from the threshold of RWY 17, on a heading of approx 150, left bank of about 30 degrees. Aircraft continued sliding toward the 17 threshold, while rotating to the left & came to rest approx. 200m from the Rwy 17 threshold, the aircraft now facing north- east.
A fire broke out in the left engine (damaged by the impact) which spread to the centre fuel tank, located in the wing centre section. right engine continued to operate until the centre section fire melted the spar, which caused the right prop to contact the fuselage, stopping the prop.
My understanding is the pilot suffered major back injuries in the impact and was rendered unconscious, which led to asphyxiation
I gave evidence at the coronial enquiry
I was on the main apron, the aircraft approached from the east at approx. 300' agl, turned right onto a heading of approx. 045, extended gear, flap was at about half, speed quite low, guessing maybe 125KIAS.
The aircraft then disappeared from my view due to fog patches/low cloud (fog that was in the process of lifting).
Aircraft impacted the ground approx. 300m from the threshold of RWY 17, on a heading of approx 150, left bank of about 30 degrees. Aircraft continued sliding toward the 17 threshold, while rotating to the left & came to rest approx. 200m from the Rwy 17 threshold, the aircraft now facing north- east.
A fire broke out in the left engine (damaged by the impact) which spread to the centre fuel tank, located in the wing centre section. right engine continued to operate until the centre section fire melted the spar, which caused the right prop to contact the fuselage, stopping the prop.
My understanding is the pilot suffered major back injuries in the impact and was rendered unconscious, which led to asphyxiation
I gave evidence at the coronial enquiry
The location of the crash can be visually identified by a tree (planted I think by a local farmer) where the aircraft came to rest. If I recall correctly a small fence may have been erected around it to stop the cattle feeding on the leaves when it was a sapling.
Over a period of more than 20 years I used to look at it just about every time I was on final for runway 17. A poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of our business.
Over a period of more than 20 years I used to look at it just about every time I was on final for runway 17. A poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of our business.
OK guys, I stand corrected. The pilot's mother told me that the aircraft came to rest close to 35 trsh but I'm more than happy to accept that eyewitnesses of the aviation kind know what they're talking about.
No matter, he was a decent guy and I am proud to have called him a friend and my instructor.
No matter, he was a decent guy and I am proud to have called him a friend and my instructor.
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The location of the crash can be visually identified by a tree (planted I think by a local farmer) where the aircraft came to rest. If I recall correctly a small fence may have been erected around it to stop the cattle feeding on the leaves when it was a sapling.
Over a period of more than 20 years I used to look at it just about every time I was on final for runway 17. A poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of our business.
Over a period of more than 20 years I used to look at it just about every time I was on final for runway 17. A poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of our business.
Not getting confused with the Fokker by any chance??
Pretty sure I’m not catseye.
The Fokker was brought down by a microburst during a go around at least a decade earlier. I think it came down on the eastern side of the centerline of 35 whilst tracking North, but happy to stand corrected. Also I don’t think there were any fatalities, but not sure of the injuries?
I was flying into Bathurst on Charters in 1990, and later in and out of there on RPT. I distinctly remember the tree being planted after the MU2 crash.
.
The Fokker was brought down by a microburst during a go around at least a decade earlier. I think it came down on the eastern side of the centerline of 35 whilst tracking North, but happy to stand corrected. Also I don’t think there were any fatalities, but not sure of the injuries?
I was flying into Bathurst on Charters in 1990, and later in and out of there on RPT. I distinctly remember the tree being planted after the MU2 crash.
.
Last edited by KRUSTY 34; 26th Mar 2019 at 21:26.
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Also looks like the tree got removed circa 2015...
