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RAAF Aviation Safety Digest 1965  Central Australian Aviation Museum 2022 |
Pilot James Knight (missing) Force Landed January 14, 1962 Aircraft History Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Constructors Number 373. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Wackett serial number A3-139. On October 1, 1945 offered for sale by CDC without an engine at Ballarat Airfield. During March 1946, sold to Huppert and Co for 20 Pounds. On April 10, 1953 registered in Australia as VH-BEC until 1955. Next, registered from 1959 until 1962 when lost. Crash On January 14, 1962 took off from Ceduna Airport piloted by James Knight on a flight bound for Cook, South Australia, but failed to arrive and was never seen again. In fact, this plane force landed 200 miles north of Cook. Search When this plane failed to return, a large search was conducted for the missing plane but failed to find the plane. Wreckage On March 28, 1965 this plane was found two hundred miles north of Cook. When investigated on the ground, they found Knight remained with the downed plane and inscribed a diary and his last will and testament onto the fuselage panels. His last diary entry was made January 20, 1962, proving he survived for at least six days. The crash site investigation determined the mounting for the magnetic compass was loose and displayed headings that was 30° in error. During 1977, the wreckage was recovered and is displayed at the Central Australian Aviation Museum. References ADF Serials - RAAF A3 CAC CA-2 & CA-6 Wackett Trainer - A3-139 Central Australian Aviation Museum - Wackett (photos) Aviation Safety Digest No. 44 December, 1965 [PDF] pages 20–26 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 26, 2023 |
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