AHSA Newsletter October 2016 – Aviation Historical Society of Australia

1882 John Robertson Duigan, designer and builder of the first Australian-designed aircraft to achive controlled powered flight, was born at Terang, Victoria on 31 May 1882. John was the third child and eldest son of John Charles Duigan and Jane Duigan (nee Robertson). Source: Crotty, David, A Flying Life: John Duigan and the First Australian aeroplane, 2010, Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

1912 The American daredevil and pilot Arthur Burr "Wizard" Stone made the first powered flight in Queensland, at the Rockhampton Agricultural Society grounds on 31 May 1912 in his Metz Bleriot aircraft. Source: Parnell, N. and Boughton, T., Flypast, A Record of Aviation in Australia, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1988, p.17

1974 At approximately 1822 hours Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 31 May 1974 Fokker Friendship F-27-100 aircraft, registered VH-EWL, crashed adjacent to Runway 35 at Bathurst aerodrome, New South Wales, during an attempted go-around from a landing approach. The aircraft came to rest after sliding 625 metres from the impact point, and sustained substantial damage. VH-EWL was engaged in operating a regular public transport flight with a crew of four and was carrying thirty passengers. Both members of the flight crew, and six passengers, received minor injuries; no other persons were injured. Source: ATSB

2000 Whyalla Airlines Piper Navajo Chieftain VH-MZK operating flight 904 crashed in Spencer Gulf, South Australia, with eight dead. Releasing the ATSB final report on the accident, Executive Director, Kym Bills, made the following statement: "The VH-MZK accident occurred after mechanical failures involving both engines forced the pilot to ditch the aircraft in Spencer Gulf, about 26km from Whyalla, on a dark, cloudy and moonless night. Based on careful analysis of the engine failures and recorded radar and audio data, it is likely that the left engine failed first as a result of a fatigue crack in the crankshaft. This was initiated about 50 flights before the accident flight due to the breakdown of a connecting rod bearing insert. The combined effects of high combustion gas pressures developed as a result of deposit-induced pre-ignition, and lowered bearing insert retention forces due to an 'anti-galling' lubricating compound used during engine assembly by the manufacturer, led to this breakdown. Lean fuel practices used by the operator increased the likelihood of lead oxybromide deposit-induced pre-ignition but were within the engine operating limits set by the aircraft manufacturer." The crash led to further claims of inadequate air safety regulation. CASA later grounded the airline after a suspension hearing in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Sources: ATSB, Australian, 1 August 2000. via aph.gov.au website

2001 A report by Tom Sherman (consultant) into two incidents involving the CASA Director of Aviation Safety Mr Mick Toller was released on 31 May 2001. The report cleared Mr Toller of any criminal actions, stating that counselling was sufficient. He was re-appointed for another three-year term, while the CASA Chairman, Dr Paul Scully-Power, retired to be replaced by Mr Ted Anson, then Chairman of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The Opposition criticised both appointments. The Government asked Mr Anson to consider the existing CASA Board structure and to report in 2002 on whether it is appropriate for safety regulation to be a statutory authority. Source: Minister for Transport, Media Release A75/01, A78/2001. via aph.gov.au website