RAAF CARIBOU
A4 – 233
AIRCRAFT |
ARRIVAL DATE |
CURRENT STATUS |
NOTES |
A4-233 |
21 August 1965 |
Written Off |
7 Dec 1965 Accepted from De Havilland (Call sign VH-???)
6 Aug 1965 Departed Toronto for RAAF Richmond
21 Aug 1965 Assigned to 38 Squadron
28 Aug 1972 Crashed into the ridge of a valley in poor weather in PNG.
Last reported ?
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OTHER NOTES: (Ref www.adf-serials.com)
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During a post "D" servicing test flight on the 11 September 1968, the pilots had a undercarriage malfunction in which the main gear would not extend. The aircraft was landed on just the nose wheel and ramp, using a foam path. The pilots were one Australian and a Malaysian on Caribou conversion. The aircraft was repaired at No 38 Sqn and test flown serviceable on the 23 September 1968.
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A4-233 visited HDH Bankstown on the 24 January 1969, 07 August 1970 and then again on the 30 September 1971.
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Served with 38 Sqn Det "A" 1972.
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Crashed 28 August 1972, Kudjero Gap PNG during a flight from Wau and Mt Yule.
This was 38 Sqn's first and only fatal Caribou accident.
Crew; FLTLT Graham David Thomas O222081 (Pilot), PLTOFF Gregory Lionel Ebsary O58698 (Co-Pilot), CPL Gary Ainsleigh Power A222878 (Loadmaster), CAPT Robert Dawson Loftus (ARA GLO).
Also on board were 3 RAAF members, 1 Army officer and 25 PNG cadets.
All cadets were from De La Salle College except for SGT Nad who was from Popondetta High.