May 1963 to April 1968
ANSETT-ANA
VH-RMO - c/n 97 - a V.747 series Viscount
Australia registered
May 1963
Re-registered from VH-BAT.
11 December 1967
Damaged on landing at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Department of Civil Aviation - Air Safety Incident Report by K Eddy: -
At approximately 05:30 hours ANSETT-ANA Captain L Mellor contacted the airport authorities and requested a visual check of the East-West runway for signs of propeller strike markings as there were approximately two inches of metal missing from the tips of the No.4 propeller.
This was discovered by the ground crew as soon as the aircraft arrived at the stand and they notified Captain Heinrich Theodor Hasselo, as he left the aircraft.
A check of runway 26 was carried out and nine blade slashes were found commencing at the 4,600 foot mark from the runway threshold.
A check of the wind conditions prevailing at the time of landing indicated that at approximately 03:00 hours the wind went from calm to 360 degrees and 30 knots.
The aircraft had landed at 03:08 hours and an airport safety officer had observed the aircraft landing and he stated that it appeared to touchdown on the nosewheel first.
12 December 1967
Witness Report by Ansett-ANA Captain Heinrich Theodor Hasselo (British) to Investigator A R Woodward: -
Aircraft weight for landing was 48,458 lbs, giving a T.T.S. of 105 knots, but due to gusty conditions on the approach a T.T.S. of 115 knots was flown as the airspeed indicator fluctuated about 6 knots due to turbulence.
A wind check was asked for on final approach and given as 340 degrees, 15 to 20 knots, with a temperature of 27 degrees C.
Due to the high temperature the (R-R Dart engine) water methanol system was switched on (in case of a go-around) for landing.
(Engine) torque (pressure) throughout the approach was 150 to 160 (PSI).
At approximately 400 feet (AGL) a wind sheer (shear) occurred and (the engine) torque (pressure) was advanced to 240 (PSI) to arrest the sink.
Touchdown was made on the starboard wheel and the aircraft kept straight with rudder and approximately three quarter aileron.
As I reduced the aileron to bring the left wing down the nose started to go down but as I eased the stick back the nose wheel touched down and immediately after, the left main wheel.
Nothing unusual was felt and the aircraft was taxied to the tarmac where ground engineers noticed the damaged (No.4) propeller, before I left the aircraft.
There were no reported injuries to the 20 passengers and 4 crew on board..
First Officer Phillip James Horrocks (British) gave his own account of the landing as the radio operator for the duration of this flight and his comments were similar to those of Captain Hasselo, except that he stated that he felt that both pilots had had little recent flying experience and may have anticipated worse wind conditions than were found and may have over-compensated the control inputs.
Both pilots were temporarily taken off the Ansett-ANA flying roster pending the completion of the investigation.
The No.4 propeller was removed and the blades were deemed as scrap. The No.4 Rolls-Royce Dart RDa3 Mark 506 engine was removed and sent to the workshop for a shockload examination and repairs as necessary. This type of incident often resulted in cracked Reduction Gearbox casings, distorted shafts and brinelled bearing races.
Returned to service.
18 April 1968
Leased to MacRobertson Miller Airlines (MMA).
|