VH-UXG (DH-84) missing en route YCAB
 

Search on for missing plane between Kingaroy and Maleny | News.com.au

Had a call from a friend who went to Monto for the RA-Aus fly in, they seem to think it is the red DH-84. Don't like the sound of the epirb supposedly going offline - let's hope it all ends well.

Edit: Changed the title to reflect what we now know.

It's a pretty ****ty day to be flying vfr around the sunny coast.

Are we talking VH-UXG..??

Unfortunately yes......

Afraid so Griffo, It seems UXG is overdue at YCAB and there are reports of radio transmissions and an epirb activation.

Reports are that it ran out of motion lotion? Speculation? - or some element of truth .... ?

Plane missing in queensland with six people on board | The Australian

de Havilland DH.84 Dragon VH-UXG at Watts Bridge, 2008

Spent about 20 mins trying to contact it today whilst overflying. It sends a shiver down your spine when there is no response :sad:

Onetrack

I can't be sure of the fuel status, but from the ATC chat at the time I think fuel was the least of the problem. As usual the media are not always in possession of the best information, including timing tracking etc. I won't comment any further just yet, but a few of the regular ppruners here are fearing the worst.

This will be a very sad day not only around YCAB but the vintage community around the country.:{

Jabawocky - It doesn't look too promising at all, does it? Why did the pilot go VFR into IMC? Did the WX go bad that quickly? - or was he in unfamiliar conditions?
I'd guess the "ran out fuel" media statement might have its source in someone stating, "he'd be out of fuel by now", in relation to a certain time, when the source was being questioned.

Oh dear o dear , lets all keep our fingers crossed.

Wreckage allegedly found 45'ish minutes ago.

No word either way.

The flightaware below clearly shows the value of an ELT.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~bc_j400/uxg.jpg

"Still pretty average WX up around there (FLIR and NVG not so good thru cloud and a LSALT around 4300'). The Picture reflects a beacon homing and the best possible start to start from, when conditions improve ... Maybe the lads did see some thing to confirm ... or not ... :(

Nothing on the AMSA web site about finding anything.

Anyone know why the Dornier 328 based at Brisbane wasn't used?

I was flying into BN at the time, hearing all this going on. Sounds like the poor bugger just couldn't seem to hold her straight, :uhoh:. His heading was all over the place, then it just went quiet from him, followed by an ELT.

Hat's off to the Centre controller who was doing his utmost best to try and salvage the situation. Considering the traffic at the time, plus dealing with this emergency, he deserves a month off and a pat on the back.

morno

One can only hope and pray that Des's incredible luck in D.H.84's still holds, along with that of his friends.

25 Oct 1954 - AIR CRASH CLAIMS TWO LIVES NEAR BRISBANE

Seen at YROM a few years ago

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...DCP01662-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...DCP01661-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/DCP01660.jpg

Total agree :D. They do an awesome job! Always free beers from me :)

Seen in early days, VH-AOR (C/N 2042) the aircraft from which Des made his miraculous escape in 1954.

VH-AOR

Early photos of VH-UXG, (C/N 6077) and a photo from 2005, after restoration by Des.

VH-UXG

FYI - By allegedly - an unconfirmed report via VHF scanner.