Manufacturers >> DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT COMPANY >> DH-83 >> VH-AAA

VH-AAA Australian Aircraft Registration Details

Here are the Australian aviation rego search results for 'VH-AAA'.
The aircraft registration database was last refreshed from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 16/Apr/2024

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VH-AAA Photo #146
VH-AAA Photo #145

Aircraft Type

DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT COMPANY
DH-83
DHA6

Holder/Operator

BUNN, Robert Archibald
15/02/1994

Airframe

1938
Australia
15/02/1994
Power Driven Aeroplane

Engines

1
DE HAVILLAND ENGINE COMPANY LTD
Piston
GIPSY MAJOR(DE HAVL)
Gasoline

Propeller

METALIC FIXED PITCH PROPELLER - MANUFACT. & MODEL NOT IDENTIFIED
FIXED PITCH PROPELLER (FP)

Certification

Comments

The Collection
8th November 2012 10:25:17 AM
This Fox Moth was one of two constructed by De Havillands at Mascot, N.S.W. Whilst having the registration VH-AAA, it was NOT the first aircraft on the "A" 'register . . . but it was the first aircraft I flew in! It was registered on 23 February 1938, but in 1949, when considerable changes were being made to the use of radio call-signs on a world-wide basis, the group "AAA" was in conflict with international codes and had to be changed. The Bush Church Aid Society asked for VH-BCA, but as that had already been allotted, the Department of Civil Aviation advised that VH-BYA had been issued . . . a compromise was reached and VH-CAS ("Church Aid Society") was formally issued on 28 September 1949.

As with most Government Departments, it did take a while for the "penny to drop"! The registration block VH-CAA to VH-CAZ had - of course - been reserved for the D.C.A. itself . . . so the Fox Moth was once more re-registered, this time as VH-GAS, on 16 June 1950. It saw service with several owners until it was withdrawn from use and cancelled from the 'register in October 1962.

Whilst being flown un-registered on 12 January 1963, on "Yanco" Station, nr. Rockdale, N.S.W. the Fox Moth hit power lines and was wrecked - pilot P. Mathews and passenger were injured and the aircraft also. It eventually found its' way into the hands of Robert Bunn, to whom it was re-registered as VH-AAA once again on 15 February 1994 . . . apparently as a long-term rebuild project.

The Collector
Dasher
11th September 2012 8:49:40 PM
Big Oops!

I posted this comment against the wrong Aircraft, now to re-post on the correct one......

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Dasher was here....
Dasher
30th August 2012 4:28:51 PM
This Aircraft Rego was the one that ditched near Norfolk Island. The ATSB have just released their final report:

On 18 November 2009, the flight crew of an Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124A aircraft, registered VH-NGA, was attempting a night approach and landing at Norfolk Island on an aeromedical flight from Apia, Samoa. On board were the pilot in command and copilot, and a doctor, nurse, patient and one passenger.

On arrival, weather conditions prevented the crew from seeing the runway or its visual aids and therefore from landing. The pilot in command elected to ditch the aircraft in the sea before the aircraft's fuel was exhausted. The aircraft broke in two after ditching. All the occupants escaped from the aircraft and were rescued by boat.

Source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau

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Dasher was here....