Ballarat – Aviation Historical Society of Australia

DerekB10/03/202511/05/2025

Ticket sales have closed for the DC-3 flights from Essendon to Ballarat 17 & 18 May 2025

The Ballarat branch of the Air Force Association (BAFA) is chartering the Shortstop Jetcharter (SJC) Douglas DC-3 VH-OVM to operate Essendon-Ballarat return flights on...

1943 At approximately 2:34pm on 2 March 1943, six Japanese Zeros attacked Coomalie Creek airfield in the Northern Territory. The six Zeros made strafing runs along the strip. The air raid only lasted a few seconds. Beaufighter A19-31 of 31 Squadron RAAF, was left at the end of the runway in the open and was totally destroyed. All the other aircraft were in their pens and only one was slightly damaged. Three men were wounded, but none seriously. Three of the Zeros were shot down by Spitfires over the sea. They also damaged three other Zeros. Source: Ozatwar.com website

1977 Piper PA-24-260 Commanche VH-GAS crashed at Mt D'Aguilar, QLD on 2 March 1977. There was 1 fatality and the aircraft was written off. Source: aviation-safety.net website

1982 Cessna 182E VH-RIT crashed at Wallis Island, NSW on 2 March 1982. There was 1 fatality and the aircraft was written off. Source: aviation-safety.net website

1989 Bensen B8 autogyro G-371 crashed at Lake Walyungup, WA on 2 March 1989. There was 1 fatality and the aircraft was written off. Source: aviation-safety.net website

1991 Bell 47G-5A VH-NAG crashed at 10km south of Lawn Hill, QLD on 2 March 1991. There were 2 fatalities and the aircraft was written off. Source: aviation-safety.net website

1999 Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee VH-EVZ operated by Waikerie Gliding Club crashed at 3 km south of Waikerie, South Australia on 2 March 1999. There was 1 fatality and the aircraft was written off. Source: aviation-safety.net website

2014 Vans RV-6 VH-ZMH crashed near Gatton Airpark (YGAS), Gatton, Lockyer Valley, QLD on 2 March 2014. There was 1 fatality and the aircraft was written off. Examination of information collected during the ATSB investigation identified that the pilot held a Civil Aviation Safety Authority flight crew student pilot licence and a Recreation Aviation Australia Incorporated pilot certificate, but did not hold qualifications that entitled the pilot to fly the aircraft as pilot in command. Examination of the aircraft wreckage identified no mechanical issues or faults with the aircraft that may have contributed to the accident. From the available eye witness evidence, and after reviewing security video footage that captured the aircraft movements directly prior to impact, the ATSB determined that it was very likely the pilot was performing a low-level aerobatic manoeuvre at a height from which recovery to normal flight was not completed before the aircraft collided with terrain. Sources: ATSB website and aviation-safety.net website