VH-EAY. de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter. c/n 253.

Was also registered as: VH-SBS.

 

This was the third of four aircraft ordered by Qantas Airways Ltd - ?

Built by de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd, Downsview, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Powered by Pratt and Whitney R-1340 Wasp engine

The aircraft was shipped from New York City onboard the S. S. Port of Montreal - April 03, 1958

Delivered by de Havilland Canada to de Havilland Australia at Sydney (Bankstown) - May 1958

Purchased by Qantas Airways from de Havilland Australia, Bankstown

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAY - July 04, 1958

Registered to Qantas Airways Ltd, Sydney

The aircraft was named ‘Kieta’ (Bougainville)

Delivered for operations in Papua New Guinea - ?

The aircraft was damaged during landing at Tapini, Papua New Guinea - August 03, 1958

It swung off the runway and struck an open ditch sustaining substantial airframe and engine damage

It was repaired at Tapini and returned to service

Sold to Trans Australian Airlines (T.A.A.) - September 01, 1960

Reregistered as VH-SBS - December 08, 1960

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne

The aircraft was renamed ‘Kerowahghl’

It was written off when it crashed near Mendi, Papua-New Guinea - December 02, 1961