Aircraft Photo of VH-TAA | Douglas DC-4-1009 | Trans-Australia Airlines - TAA | AirHistory.net #127254
Aircraft
Registration / Serial:VH-TAA
Aircraft Original Type:Douglas DC-4
Aircraft Generic Type:Douglas DC-4 (C-54/R5D/Skymaster)
Aircraft Version:Douglas DC-4-1009
C/n (msn):43065
Operator Titles:Trans-Australia Airlines - TAA
Aircraft Name:Watkin Tench
Location
City / Airport:Melbourne - EssendonMap
Region / Country:Victoria, Australia
Airport Codes:ICAO: YMEN   IATA: MEB   Local: -   Other: -
 
Photo Date:1 January 1960 to 24 May 1961
Photo from:Ben Dannecker (via David Carter)
Photo ID: 127254
Photo Comment

TAA bought VH-TAA as a new production DC-4. Delivered in 1946. Switched to cargo operations in 1960 (it was built with C-54-style double doors). Crashed on approach to Brisbane airport on May 24, 1961. Captain had a cardiac arrest and collapsed over the throttles as he tried to vacate his seat. The throttles closed and the copilot could not get to them. -TAA descended into a mangrove swamp and the cockpit was destroyed when it collided with a tree. Neither pilot survived.

This photo was added on 23 February 2019, and has since been viewed 1652 times.


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