Help a failing memory - NSW Cessna 210 crash and a NSW Ag accident?
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Hi all,
I stumbled upon this thread searching for information about the tragic crash that took the life of Robert Holmes. Robert was one of my closest friends at High School, when he left school to commence work we gradually lost contact and I ended up working overseas for many years and only returned a year ago. In catching up with some old friends one of them told me of what happened to Robert.
I would appreciate it if anyone has information, memories, stories to recall about Robert. I have thought about contacting his parents but I don't want to upset or distress them, especially considering the tragic circumstances of his passing.
Many thanks in advance.
I stumbled upon this thread searching for information about the tragic crash that took the life of Robert Holmes. Robert was one of my closest friends at High School, when he left school to commence work we gradually lost contact and I ended up working overseas for many years and only returned a year ago. In catching up with some old friends one of them told me of what happened to Robert.
I would appreciate it if anyone has information, memories, stories to recall about Robert. I have thought about contacting his parents but I don't want to upset or distress them, especially considering the tragic circumstances of his passing.
Many thanks in advance.
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The families will still be greaving their losses guys , please remember this in your posts, even after such a long time, it only seems like last week to some of us. I had PLD booked for the next day, monday to take my family to Bundy, we made Qld unfortunatly not in PLD.
Kickatinalong.
Kickatinalong.
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I studied my ATPL theory at Sydney Tafe with the instructor in the C152. I was surprised that he was so foolish that day. My recollection is that there was another aircraft that witnessed the accident.
My recollection is that there was another aircraft that witnessed the accident.
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Cessna 210
My brother was one of the two survivors in the second cessna accident that occurred in the Lake Burragorang area on 22/12/1990. He has sufferred horrific physical and mental health injuries from the accident and has to re-live the end of that training camp and the outcome of decisions made everyday.
My family and I are still in contact with some members of the other families, and every christmas we draw together united in our common bond of loss and grief.
Although this thread is old, if you are still interested, I am willing to assist you reconnecting with the Hannah family, however it is not something that I will do via a public forum.
I have accepted that members can contact me, so if you would like to send me an email with information regarding who you are/were to Alan I will pass it on to the family and leave it up to them to contact you. I will send you a response to confirm that I have passed it on.
I apologise if this is not exactly the outcome/response you were hoping for, however it is all I am willing to offer to people who I don't know, in order to protect those who I do know and love.
My family and I are still in contact with some members of the other families, and every christmas we draw together united in our common bond of loss and grief.
Although this thread is old, if you are still interested, I am willing to assist you reconnecting with the Hannah family, however it is not something that I will do via a public forum.
I have accepted that members can contact me, so if you would like to send me an email with information regarding who you are/were to Alan I will pass it on to the family and leave it up to them to contact you. I will send you a response to confirm that I have passed it on.
I apologise if this is not exactly the outcome/response you were hoping for, however it is all I am willing to offer to people who I don't know, in order to protect those who I do know and love.
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Follow Up Information
Keg, it might be hard to track down now days, but the coroner for this case was Kevin Wallace.
He had a long and distinguished career within the NSW coroners court and upon his retirement wrote a book called 'suddenly dead' in which he gave a brief overview of some of the more bizarre/horrific cases he had to deal with.
The aircraft tragedy from the 21 & 22 December 1990 is in that book, included with a summary of his findings.
Hope this information is of some help to you
He had a long and distinguished career within the NSW coroners court and upon his retirement wrote a book called 'suddenly dead' in which he gave a brief overview of some of the more bizarre/horrific cases he had to deal with.
The aircraft tragedy from the 21 & 22 December 1990 is in that book, included with a summary of his findings.
Hope this information is of some help to you
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RH
Can I suggest that if you know people who are still in contact with Robert's family, you do make contact with them.
If you were a close high school friend, then Robert mother would love to hear from you. Even though old friends coming back is hard, and reminds us of our loss, it gives us an opportunity to talk about them still
If you were a close high school friend, then Robert mother would love to hear from you. Even though old friends coming back is hard, and reminds us of our loss, it gives us an opportunity to talk about them still
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further info
Keg,
If you need some more background send it to me by PM. I had the surviving C150 instructor in the back of the NPWS squirrel for one sortie and eventually found the first wreckage off the 150 in the western end of the Burragorang. Flight manual,strut fairing and a couple of other bits. Airframe was eventually located a long way east near the intersection of the north south arm. Some really good hydrography was done by MWSDB as there are funny currents in the lake to find it. Not to mention the Canberra psychic winding the poor mother up, Seakings, Orions dropping sonobouys and a bunch of other stuff.
Hardest thing was meeting Nigel and the female cadet's father when we landed back for another refuel knowing one female was deceased but not knowing which one. Fortunately BBBBBBaz got hold of Nigel early and got him out of there after a phone call. Cops disaster identification and processes in those days took a lot longer.
The media behaviour wasn't as good as it is today in fact bloody insensitive but the cops helo crewy fixed that with the media crew involved. They won't ever try that approach again.
Alf Tremain was the investigator ( I'm pretty sure ) and we met with him and I recall reviewing the sonar pictures of the C150 sitting on the bottom of the lake when he was writing his report.
There is also additonal info as to why people were flying around in the valley. which the MWSDB very rapidly removed.
There was a big court case run in the US which revolved around fretting in big end bolts and what was the appropriate torque. Only got that second hand so not sure if it is true.
A really CRAP few days and leading upto Christmas.
If you need some more background send it to me by PM. I had the surviving C150 instructor in the back of the NPWS squirrel for one sortie and eventually found the first wreckage off the 150 in the western end of the Burragorang. Flight manual,strut fairing and a couple of other bits. Airframe was eventually located a long way east near the intersection of the north south arm. Some really good hydrography was done by MWSDB as there are funny currents in the lake to find it. Not to mention the Canberra psychic winding the poor mother up, Seakings, Orions dropping sonobouys and a bunch of other stuff.
Hardest thing was meeting Nigel and the female cadet's father when we landed back for another refuel knowing one female was deceased but not knowing which one. Fortunately BBBBBBaz got hold of Nigel early and got him out of there after a phone call. Cops disaster identification and processes in those days took a lot longer.
The media behaviour wasn't as good as it is today in fact bloody insensitive but the cops helo crewy fixed that with the media crew involved. They won't ever try that approach again.
Alf Tremain was the investigator ( I'm pretty sure ) and we met with him and I recall reviewing the sonar pictures of the C150 sitting on the bottom of the lake when he was writing his report.
There is also additonal info as to why people were flying around in the valley. which the MWSDB very rapidly removed.
There was a big court case run in the US which revolved around fretting in big end bolts and what was the appropriate torque. Only got that second hand so not sure if it is true.
A really CRAP few days and leading upto Christmas.
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Makes me so angry...His name is not Stephen Curtis.....One would think if there are 2 survivors editors of the 'book' would get the names correct.
Him and his family have had a rough time since
Him and his family have had a rough time since
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'Editors'
Don't get angry over the incorrect name 'Oldfriends' -it is actually a good thing because it helps add some protection to the male survivor and family from people who aren't close or only know information from a public arena which is how it needs to be. Those that know and love him and the family know how to get in touch.
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Camden Memorial
For those few of you who wanted to know, a small memorial garden and stone is located at Camden Airport (Airport Rd) to the survivors of PLD
Camden Search & Rescue Mission - Monument Australia (www.monumentaustralia.org.au)
Link will take you to a webpage for various monuments around Australia
Inscription on memorial reads:
"In loving memory of Alan Hannah, Robert Holmes, Janine Watson, Peter Whitehurst who died tragically on 22 December 1990 while flying a search & rescue mission for fellow airmen Andrew Patterson, Angelene Neil."
"They slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the hand of God".
Camden Search & Rescue Mission - Monument Australia (www.monumentaustralia.org.au)
Link will take you to a webpage for various monuments around Australia
Inscription on memorial reads:
"In loving memory of Alan Hannah, Robert Holmes, Janine Watson, Peter Whitehurst who died tragically on 22 December 1990 while flying a search & rescue mission for fellow airmen Andrew Patterson, Angelene Neil."
"They slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the hand of God".
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Re Alan Hannah
Hi Aimee,
I just ran across your post from a few years ago, Alan and I did our CPL training together around 1984 at the Royal Aero Club of NSW at Bankstown airport, at the time he had a Ford Capri, I am sure your Mother in Law would remember that little detail! We were highly competitive and were racing each other to get the final flight test done first. After Alan joined the Air Force I lost regular touch with him and was only able to catch up a few times before the sad news at christmas of 1990.
I still think of him from time to time and wonder where he might have been today if he hadn't been siting in the right seat of that unlucky C210 flight!
At least I can say that I will always remember Alan as an entertaining and interesting friend, his humour was one of a kind and only appreciated by clever souls! Often remembered but never forgotten!
I just ran across your post from a few years ago, Alan and I did our CPL training together around 1984 at the Royal Aero Club of NSW at Bankstown airport, at the time he had a Ford Capri, I am sure your Mother in Law would remember that little detail! We were highly competitive and were racing each other to get the final flight test done first. After Alan joined the Air Force I lost regular touch with him and was only able to catch up a few times before the sad news at christmas of 1990.
I still think of him from time to time and wonder where he might have been today if he hadn't been siting in the right seat of that unlucky C210 flight!
At least I can say that I will always remember Alan as an entertaining and interesting friend, his humour was one of a kind and only appreciated by clever souls! Often remembered but never forgotten!
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It's nearly 25 years since the accident that changed our lives. I turned 29 and Dad turned 60 on the 22/12/1990.....it was late in the afternoon and my parents had been moving all day into their new home at Woronora. Peter lived with my husband and I, and I called Camden Aviation to let Peter know we were running late for a planned seafood bbq at home. I was told his plane had gone down and things were grim. It was the start of a nightmare for our family and all those who lost so much that day. Some things were handled OK and some things were a disgrace....my parents being ambushed at the coronial enquiry with Peter trying to be made the scapegoat with a 'pilot error' decision being one. With Christmas approaching, the anniversary of our loss on Dads and my birthday is always so sad. Mum left us some years back and I know she is happier with him than without. Blessings to those that remember such terrible time and lost so much
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Vale
It has been some time since this event.
There are still many who remember vividly and always find Christmas difficult.
For myself as one of the Cadets on the course, the memory never fades, each day I wake up and enjoy the life that is, and value every memory of those that have past.
Aside from the passing of immediate family, this time has always remained significant.
There are still many who remember vividly and always find Christmas difficult.
For myself as one of the Cadets on the course, the memory never fades, each day I wake up and enjoy the life that is, and value every memory of those that have past.
Aside from the passing of immediate family, this time has always remained significant.
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Missing Janine...
I literally stumbled upon this thread just over a week ago because I always find the 22nd of December especially harrowing. It was the day I lost my best friend Janine (Watson) to that horrific crash in 1990 in the Cessna 210 (VH-PLD) that was out searching for a crashed 152 that went down near Lake Burragorang.
I am not a pilot but as best friends in our HSC years, Janine's enthusiasm for flying was infectious and she had gained her unrestricted licence at the young age of 18 which was a remarkable achievement. I was supposed to be staying with her just before Christmas to celebrate Christmas together and she wanted to take me flying with her. The day after the crash featured on the news, and her mother had telephoned me to tell me Janine had died and about the funeral service etc., I received a Christmas card from her telling me she missed me which saw me break down. I lost contact with her parents after the funeral service and only got to know details of the crash from Allana's book "The Best I Can Be" many years later.
It's important for me to post here that Janine is sorely missed, and not only by student pilots or professional pilots but by friends who knew her well outside the flying community. If anyone knows whether her parents or brother would be open to contact from a close friend of Janine (we were at BMGS High School together), let me know. I can produce my bona fides re. my name and other identifying details but would prefer not to do so on an open message board. I also don't want to contact Janine's family if it would cause distress.
Vale Janine, my soul sister, always in my heart.
I am not a pilot but as best friends in our HSC years, Janine's enthusiasm for flying was infectious and she had gained her unrestricted licence at the young age of 18 which was a remarkable achievement. I was supposed to be staying with her just before Christmas to celebrate Christmas together and she wanted to take me flying with her. The day after the crash featured on the news, and her mother had telephoned me to tell me Janine had died and about the funeral service etc., I received a Christmas card from her telling me she missed me which saw me break down. I lost contact with her parents after the funeral service and only got to know details of the crash from Allana's book "The Best I Can Be" many years later.
It's important for me to post here that Janine is sorely missed, and not only by student pilots or professional pilots but by friends who knew her well outside the flying community. If anyone knows whether her parents or brother would be open to contact from a close friend of Janine (we were at BMGS High School together), let me know. I can produce my bona fides re. my name and other identifying details but would prefer not to do so on an open message board. I also don't want to contact Janine's family if it would cause distress.
Vale Janine, my soul sister, always in my heart.
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Early photo of alan
hi Aimee hannah, i just found an old photo of alan and 2 other guys (4 of us did our first license together at royal aero club) - I remember giving him a lift from his home to the royal aero sunday funday at wallacia, as alan, although he had a pilot's license, was too young to drive :-) nice guy - photo not great quality but might be a memory, rgds greg
To add to the tragic story, Allana married Roger Corbin, a helicopter pilot, and moved to Tasmania.
Roger was killed in a crash while fighting the last series of bushfires.
Roger was killed in a crash while fighting the last series of bushfires.