AHSA Newsletter June 2017 – Aviation Historical Society of Australia

1945 Lockheed Hudson MkI A16-47 operated by the RAAF Survey Flight went missing between Lowood and Bowen, QLD on 24 July 1945. The aircraft departed Lowood at 0841hrs for an inspection flight with the Commanding Officer on board and 6 others including crew. All aboard were listed as missing. The crew included FLTLT L.E.H. Clarke Serv#416567, FLGOFF T.J. Steel Serv#428807 and CPL W McP Gaze Serv#38868. Passengers included SQNLDR N.M. Pilcher Serv#260750 (C.O. Survey Flight), SQNLDR C. Griffen Serv#262191 (C.O. 14 OBU), LAC F.G. Chiverton Serv#22955 and LAC W.H. Nielsen Serv#151744. Sources: ADF-Serials; aviation-safety.net website

2008 Qantas Boeing 747-438 VH-OJK Flight 30 from Hong Kong to Melbourne on 25 July 2008 experienced a fuselage rupture in the vicinity of the starboard wing root along with an explosive decompression. The plane made an emergency descent and later landed without incident at Manila Airport with all 365 aboard safe. On ground inspection revealed a gaping hole into the baggage hold up to 3m across and a missing oxygen cylinder. Parts of the cylinder were later found in places. Source: ATSB, Media Release 2008/22, ‘Boeing 747 diversion to Manila’, 25 July 2008. via aph.gov.au website