Light aircraft down near McKinlay, Qld
Thread Starter
Aero commander down QLD
have heard that while on a bushfire-related flight out of Toowoomba, Victorian-based Agair Logistics P/L Gulfstream American Corporation 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 VH-HPY as "Birddog 370", has been uncontactable and now vanished from radar between Cloncurry and Mount Isa…
UPDATES…
RFDS King Air “Flydoc445” is diverting towards Cloncurry to have a look.
Mount Isa based helicopter “Rescue 400” heading out to look.
Ground crew from Cloncurry heading out too.
ADF Cessna 208 Caravan “Waler 11” might also come down from Borroloola.
UPDATES…
RFDS King Air “Flydoc445” is diverting towards Cloncurry to have a look.
Mount Isa based helicopter “Rescue 400” heading out to look.
Ground crew from Cloncurry heading out too.
ADF Cessna 208 Caravan “Waler 11” might also come down from Borroloola.
From the AustralianThe Australian
“Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation.
A witness told Nine News they had seen a plume of smoke about 30km off the Landsborough Highway around the area the plane reportedly crashed.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
No aircraft has yet been found.
It’s understood the missing plane is 275 Gulfstream 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 known as a “Birddog”.
The plane disappeared of the flight radar between Mt Isa and Cloncurry after departing Toowoomba earlier in the day.”
VH-HPY matches the type and can be seen on FR 24 in the area at 28000 ft until it slows and descends and then disappears.
“Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation.
A witness told Nine News they had seen a plume of smoke about 30km off the Landsborough Highway around the area the plane reportedly crashed.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
No aircraft has yet been found.
It’s understood the missing plane is 275 Gulfstream 695A Jetprop Commander 1000 known as a “Birddog”.
The plane disappeared of the flight radar between Mt Isa and Cloncurry after departing Toowoomba earlier in the day.”
VH-HPY matches the type and can be seen on FR 24 in the area at 28000 ft until it slows and descends and then disappears.
Last edited by Cloudee; 4th Nov 2023 at 08:37.
Very odd last 3 minutes of recorded flight. 28,000ft, 220 kts then slows to 107 kts, turns left rapidly through about 240 deg left descending and accelerating rapidly to 25,000 then disappears off tracking. The last few months has been awful for GA.
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Very strange. Another one that has just dropped like a brick looking at the data with that rego above. Terrible.
Satellite looks clear and cell activity which was also building was over Georgetown way. Seemed well clear.
Satellite looks clear and cell activity which was also building was over Georgetown way. Seemed well clear.
What'd cause the descent from FL280 -> FL150 and climb back to 280 early in the piece? Do the firescan ops require that, or could it be indicative of a pressurisation issue?
-HPY was also the rego of the Twotter we lost in PNG when the students turned up the wrong valley and couldn't outclimb the terrain.
-HPY was also the rego of the Twotter we lost in PNG when the students turned up the wrong valley and couldn't outclimb the terrain.
Jetprop commander crash Northwest QLD
Listening in on frequency this arvo and the aircraft in question didn't make any radio communications or respond to ATC when it first descended from FL280 and later dropped off ADSB coverage at FL247, reportedly in a steep descent. Last I heard the wreckage was spotted and based on my understanding it was one that you don't walk away from. Does anyone have any updates on the health of the pilot & pax??
What'd cause the descent from FL280 -> FL150 and climb back to 280 early in the piece? Do the firescan ops require that, or could it be indicative of a pressurisation issue?
-HPY was also the rego of the Twotter we lost in PNG when the students turned up the wrong valley and couldn't outclimb the terrain.
-HPY was also the rego of the Twotter we lost in PNG when the students turned up the wrong valley and couldn't outclimb the terrain.
Reports are saying 3 on board. AC69?
Last edited by Mr Mossberg; 4th Nov 2023 at 09:46. Reason: Wrong acft type quoted.
If the aircraft was conducting fire spotting ops and was on task then the possibility of being caught in a 'firestorm' similar to a thunderstorm is a consideration.
The 690A Turbo Commanders has a very low Vma speed and structural failure in a firestorm is a possibility.
There was a B200 operated by xxx xxx at Essendon many years ago caught in a firestorm event and bent the wings. The pilot and crew was very lucky to survive.
The 690A Turbo Commanders has a very low Vma speed and structural failure in a firestorm is a possibility.
There was a B200 operated by xxx xxx at Essendon many years ago caught in a firestorm event and bent the wings. The pilot and crew was very lucky to survive.
Last edited by CIC; 4th Nov 2023 at 10:59.
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Reporting in The Australian,
Behind a paywall
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/three-feared-dead-in-queensland-plane-crash/news-story/76e401a59cabb97015a13f4c32ad7f48
VH-HPY AC95 according to FR24
Wreckage was found about 40km northwest of McKinlay, 230km southeast of Mt Isa, around 5pm on Saturday.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/three-feared-dead-in-queensland-plane-crash/news-story/76e401a59cabb97015a13f4c32ad7f48
VH-HPY AC95 according to FR24
Last edited by MickG0105; 4th Nov 2023 at 10:23.
Was the aircraft in one piece at impact?
I have a vague recollection that Vb is quite low for a speedy aircraft.
I have a vague recollection that Vb is quite low for a speedy aircraft.
What'd cause the descent from FL280 -> FL150 and climb back to 280 early in the piece? Do the firescan ops require that, or could it be indicative of a pressurisation issue?
-HPY was also the rego of the Twotter we lost in PNG when the students turned up the wrong valley and couldn't outclimb the terrain.
-HPY was also the rego of the Twotter we lost in PNG when the students turned up the wrong valley and couldn't outclimb the terrain.
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A friend of mine was killed in a GAM Aerocommander at Killmore Gap when the wings clapped.
I can't help but wonder how much low level FAC/Bird-Doggin' this machine has done.
How very sad for the friends and families. So sad.
I can't help but wonder how much low level FAC/Bird-Doggin' this machine has done.
How very sad for the friends and families. So sad.
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