The DC-3 ditching in Botany Bay, 1994 • YT video by Curious Pilot

[Garfly]

 

 

[onetrack]

I've spoken to and had transaction dealings with Rod Lovell, I found him to be a decent bloke, and he copped a lot of abuse and unfair treatment from aviation authorities, and even the flying fraternity over this crash. I didn't know about this crash until well after I'd dealt with him.

 

After I discovered the story of the crash, I personally think Rod was unfairly maligned, and he made the best of a bad situation. It doesn't pay to fly ancient junky old aeroplanes if you value your aviation reputation. 

 

Edited July 13 by onetrack

[facthunter]

I have just read the entire BASI report.  No one comes out looking good.. Too much neglect of proper Process. The Plane is a piece of crap.  Disfunctional organisation. Corners cut. Improper surveilance .Nev

[spacesailor]

I was the yacht that was supposed to be in His way .A good vantage point to watch the takeoffs.

spacesailor

[Rod Lovell]

On 14/07/2025 at 10:45 AM, facthunter said:

I have just read the entire BASI report.  No one comes out looking good.. Too much neglect of proper Process. The Plane is a piece of crap.  Disfunctional organisation. Corners cut. Improper surveilance .Nev

FYI.  Just one abnormality (of many) quoted.

From the final BASI report (page 14):

‘Right Engine. This engine was subjected to strip examination along with an inspection of the engine records and SOAP (Spectrometric

Oil Analysis Program) analysis submitted for the TBO (Time Between Overhauls) extension.
With the exception of the propeller governor, no pre-existing abnormalities were found.’
 

In another report from BASI (not released to the public and details not in the final report), but forwarded to me by Alan Stray:
‘Right engine: Twenty-five spark plugs which were recovered from the right engine were similarly cleaned gapped and tested. Of these

11 were considered to be unserviceable, either failing to fire or from electrical breaking down when being tested.’
No wonder the right hand engine was NOT producing rated power.

I found the official report was misleading, incomplete, inaccurate and omitted vital factual information.
Remember that (from BASI publications), "Readers are advised that the Bureau investigates for the sole purpose of enhancing aviation safety."
If they had done so, there is a good chance that 32 people would not have tragically been killed on 25th September 1996, when the Dutch Dakota Association, lost their DC-3

(PH-DDA1) which crashed into the Wadden Sea about 35 miles north of the Dutch capital. The circumstances were incredibly similar.
The report on my accident was released approximately 6 months prior to this tragic accident.

 

[skippydiesel]

Interesting.

 

I am fairly sure that I had the privilege of sitting in the right seat, while this aircraft was taxied at Camden, a day or so before this incident.

Andrew - the third/supernumerary pilot was to have his first real airline job with this flight - It was some time before he had another job opportunity.😈

[Rod Lovell]

On 14/07/2025 at 11:18 AM, spacesailor said:

I was the yacht that was supposed to be in His way .A good vantage point to watch the takeoffs.

spacesailor

Did you witness the aircraft actually hitting the water?