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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

?

 

 

OTHER NOTES: (Ref www.adf-serials.com)

  1. 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.
     
  2. A4-233 visited HDH Bankstown on the 24 January 1969, 07 August 1970 and then again on the 30 September 1971.
     
  3. Served with 38 Sqn Det "A" 1972.
     
  4. 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.