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1536
VH-IDJ on a hillside paddock.
Photo: Matthew Crosier © Date unknown - Aird Archives
VH-IDJ at Moorabbin, NSW.
Photo: Geoff Goodall © May 1964 - Eddie Coates Collection

1536

VH-IDJ

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Hawker de Havilland Australia. Delivered 10-Jan-1964.

VH-IDJ Super Spread Aviation (Aust) Pty. Ltd., Regd 05-Apr-1964. Canx 07-Mar-1972.

Accident: Moulamein, near Denilquin, NSW. 15-Nov-1971. The area to be seeded was a flooded rice paddy, rectangular in shape and approximately 1,650 feet east/west by 800 feet north/south, with the western bank 95 feet to the east of a river. There was an extensive area of dense timber, generally about 70 feet in height, on the western side of the river and a line of trees along the eastern bank. After making an aerial inspection of the area the pilot arranged for the two men who were to act as markers to take up positions on the banks of the paddy in preparation for easterly and westerly seeding runs commencing along the southern side. The aircraft commenced a steep descent, with the wings level, consistent with an approach for a seeding run to the east. A few seconds later, when about 250 feet short of the rice paddy, the aircraft struck the sparsely foliated upper branches of a tree which extended about 20 feet above the other trees in the vicinity and the starboard elevator was torn off. With no apparent power reduction, and little change of direction, the aircraft rolled steeply to the left, descended and, after travelling a further 150 feet, struck another tree on the eastern side of the river. The wings and empennage were torn off and the fuselage fell through the tree to the ground and burst into flames. Aircraft destroyed by fire. One person sustained fatal injuries. Investigation Number:197101265

Destroyed

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