2012 Queensland DH.84 Dragon crash
| Company type | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 1934 |
| Headquarters | Queensland , Australia |
Template:Use Australian English
Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence
On 1 October 2012, the Riama, a passenger aircraft of the de Havilland DH.84 Dragon model dating back to 1934, crashed in Queensland, Australia during a flight from Monto to Caboolture Airfield. Approximately one hour after the pilot reported flying in cloud with zero visibility, radio communication was lost. The crash site was located two days later within densely forested, rugged terrain. All six individuals on board—the pilot and five passengers—were fatally injured.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation concluded that the pilot likely suffered from spatial disorientation, resulting in loss of control. The pilot lacked qualifications for instrument flight and the aircraft was not fitted for such operations. Weather conditions at the time included low cloud cover and rainfall.
Accident
The plane departed shortly after 11:00 from the Norra-Aus Fly-In airshow held in Monto, heading directly to Caboolture with one pilot and five non-paying passengers aboard. Forecasts predicted VFR (visual flight rules) with good visibility, high cloud layers, and light winds. At 13:15, the aircraft made contact with air traffic control, reporting a position about 69 km north of Caboolture and requesting navigation assistance.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
Soon after, the pilot issued a distress signal indicating entry into thick cloud cover. Brisbane controllers provided positional updates directly and through other pilots nearby due to radio reception challenges. Around 13:20, a friend of one passenger received a call from the aircraft stating they were lost in cloud and struggling to maintain altitude.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
Witnesses near the eventual crash location observed the plane flying intermittently through cloud at low altitude over the following hour. At 13:48, the pilot reported having approximately one hour of fuel remaining; the final transmission occurred at 14:04. Neither pilot certification nor aircraft equipment supported flight without visual ground reference.[1]
A large-scale search and rescue effort was launched by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), deploying up to 15 helicopters alongside a specialized fixed-wing aircraft flown from Melbourne. The initial search spanned approximately 1500 square kilometers across challenging hilly terrain and dense bushland. Local residents on motorcycles volunteered to assist by searching remote trails.[2] Police mounted units also participated in the operation. AMSA reported that an emergency locator beacon was activated approximately thirty minutes before last contact but subsequently lost signal. On 3 October, wreckage was found just below a ridgeline near Lake Borumba, located about 36 km southwest of Gympie, Queensland, confirming no survivors.[3]
Aircraft
At the time of the incident, Riama was among only four DH.84 Dragon aircraft worldwide that remained in flying condition. Following a lengthy period of disassembly and storage in a hangar, the plane underwent restoration by vintage aircraft experts Mothcair at Murwillumbah Airport between 1998 and 2002.
Des Porter, the pilot involved in the accident, owned the aircraft. He discovered that components from the tail section had been taken from another Dragon named Riama, which had belonged to his father before being damaged in a crash landing at Archerfield Airport near Brisbane in 1952. Porter himself had survived a separate Dragon crash in 1954 at age 11, which tragically claimed the lives of his father and older brother.
This iconic red biplane had become a well-known feature at various airshows and flying events across Australia. In the weekend preceding the crash, Porter reportedly raised approximately $15,000 for a rescue helicopter service based in Bundaberg, Queensland by providing joy flights aboard Riama.
Investigation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) conducted an inquiry into the crash involving Riama, with the final report published in December 2013. Initial findings contradicted media speculation that fuel exhaustion caused the accident; evidence showed at least one engine was operational during impact, and fuel was present in the tanks. The ATSB established that the collision occurred around 14:21, roughly 17 minutes after the last radio contact with the aircraft. The impact was deemed unsurvivable.
Final report
Released on 19 December 2013, the ATSB's conclusive accident report noted: Template:Blockquote Additionally, Template:Blockquote The investigation concluded: Template:Blockquote
References
- ↑ "ATSB Transport Safety Report - Aviation Occurrence Investigation AO-2012-130 Preliminary" (PDF). Australian Transport Safety Bureau. 8 November 2012.
- ↑ Hall, Peter (2 October 2012). "Up to 15 helicopters search for missing DH84 Dragon plane between Kingaroy and Maleny". The Courier Mail.
- ↑ Hall, Peter (3 October 2012). "No survivors in crash of missing vintage plane found near Lake Borumba, west of Imbil". The Courier Mail.
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