OK... so ,,, VH-MDX is still out there waiting to be found !... A few theories put out there... what do we think of
Quentins theory .. i.e. he found it on Google Earth ?.
Don's theory .. i.e. It's resting on Scattered Top mountain ?.
Mark's theory .. i.e. Mark is part of the effort lead by the NSW Police Force that has determined that VH-MDX is resting in the Williams River Valley...
All disparate locations when looked at across the local area... all in the Barrington Tops.
I wonder if it was a long way off course when it crashed? Someone may have seen this already on Google Earth, but there is a long white shape with a small upturn on one end visible at -32.163186, 151.400431? or 32°09'47.5"S 151°24'01.6"E. It doesn't look natural and there looks to be more to it behind the trees, but of course things on aerial photos can sometimes be deceiving. It may be just a large rock outcrop or a big fallen tree, but the lines look too precise. If using Google Maps don't forget to click on the search twice to get the green arrow. The red teardrop is on the Cabre Bald Track about 2km NW of the location. I'm not saying this is it, just that it is an anomaly that could be worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteHi grey_gum,
DeleteInteresting. Would be worth checking out. The Boonabilla Road/Cabre Bald trail at 32° 9'48.60"S 151°24'30.88"E passes within 800 metres of that point and is accessable in a very carefully driven 2wd. In a 4wd it would be a lot easier. If someone has a spare day they may wish to check it out.
I wouldn't travel there alone and I would take an EPIRB and some form of dependable communication.
Hi Grey gum. I had a good look at your co'odinates and the object at them...Compared to the scale legend on google earth that object is about 15metres long. The length and width of a sesna C210 Centurion is not even close to this measure and the whole wingspan would have to remain intact to even come close .I have found suspect objects on google earth Just like your object and on inspection they turned out to be logs from downed trees. I am only offering the benefit of my experience,not looking to jump on your work,keep at it mate someone has to find it sooner or later...Cheers.
DeleteHi Grey_Gum... were you able to get up there for a look ?... Everything should be checked out... who knows !!!!.
DeleteI agree with the theory that VH-MDX may have travelled a long way off course - the pilot was disorientated and he didn't seem to know where he even was, towards the end.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone searched the northern area of the Wollemi / Yengo National Park, around the Mount Yengo./northern Putty Road area yet?
I suspect the plane travelled further south/west than thought and was over this rugged, remote area when it went down - the Wollemi National Park is not that much further on from the Barrington Tops .
Hi Christina,
DeleteAn interesting theory. Let me say that the short answer is 'no' and then to elaborate.... The last definitive radar paint of VH-MDX by Williamtown radar put them over Corker Mountain in the Barrington Tops and on a north easterly heading. VH-MDX was not seen again on radar and their radio transmissions ceased very shortly after passing over Corker Mountain. Based on this and other evidence, the current thinking is that VH-MDX rests in the Williams River valley.
Having said that, VH-MDX could potentially be in a myriad of locations. Keep the thinking and questions coming. No theory is right or not right until they are found.
Thanks for the info, Martin.
DeleteSeems the plane was travelling in the very opposite direction, away from the Yengo area then.
Wherever it is, really hope the final resting place of Flight VH-MDX will be found one day soon, thanks to the tireless efforts of people like yourself .
Hi Christina ,Im with Martin on this. At no time did VH-MDX ever make it south of the Craven transponder period,and that is a well known fact.It is the reason all the searches have been conducted north of that line.I think they are now looking in the correct area and it is only a matter of time befor it is found.Keep at it and have a nice day.Cheers.
DeleteDon, Are there any future searches through the bush coming up soon? I live in Ballarat Vic but I have been fascinated by mdx for some time. I was flying light planes when it went down, but stopped in 1981. I have some bushwalking experience and equipment. Semi retired now so might be available with others if they're going looking for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Murray,
DeleteThere is a regular search effort that the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad (BWRS) have been organising and conducting for the last 25 odd years. It takes place in October annually and is primarily a search and rescue exercise which has VH – MDX is its target. In the background is a working group led by NSW Police Rescue who have been going over the evidence intently so as to determine the most likely search area. This background effort was hugely ramped up last year and is continuing this year. Some great ways to get involved in this effort are to either join the BWRS or WICEN ( http://www.nsw.wicen.org.au/ )
Operational members of the BWRS are very fit and experienced bushwalkers who go into some very inhospitable territory in search of VH – MDX during the SAREX. I am a non-operational member of the BWRS and as such support the operational members by erecting tents, transporting the searchers and their gear, manning the communication system and generally supporting them during the SAREX and other events during the year. I am also an operational member of WICEN which supports the BWRS during the SAREX by providing a customised communications network necessary in the Barrington Tops topography.
The BWRS website ( http://www.bwrs.org.au/ ) has some mission summaries from past years Barrington SAREX's.
P.S.. re your reference to Don, you may have me mixed up with Don Readford who appeared on the Sunday Night program.
I worked as an aerial photographic interpreter (API) mapping native vegetation. We used stereo photos to see the vegetation in 3D. This technique allows the interpreter to look through the canopy and view the understorey. Was this technique ever used for the search? We used aerial photography that was flown and developed by the Land Information Centre in Bathurst. I think they use to regularly fly the entire state every few years. Perhaps there are photos taken not long after the crash that could be used for 3D stereo analysis. Shadows can cause problems in seeing through the canopy but a specific search for any unusual (not natural) patterns or objects and a trained API could spot the crash. I was trained to identify individual trees, land use and disturbance in the forest using this technique. I would be willing to help. Any ideas or advice would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi Mark,
DeleteGood to hear from you. There are several individuals involved with the working group (see my reply above to Murray) with experience in mapping and aerial photography. I've referred your questions to them.
The working group led by NSW Police has been working on various remote sensing methods including photo interpretation with the NSW Lands Dept who take these sorts of photos Having said that, I understand that the results of such interpretations can be enhanced dependent on the method used.
DeleteIf you want to give your method a go, by all means. The current target area is a 1k wide strip in the Williams River valley running from Corker mountain and then NE to the other side of the valley.
Martin,
ReplyDeleteI could map the entire search area using API if some photos could be sourced not long after the accident. I have 2 months of free time for the effort.
Mark
Hi Mark,
DeleteThanks for that. See reply above.
how about getting Tomnod onboard. With more eyes the better.
ReplyDeleteGuys newbie to this story and just starting to get my head around all the info. Just wanted to orientate my thinking. Just wanted to fact check
ReplyDelete1. last known position from William Town was near or over Mount Corker and suspected plane traveling in NE direction
2. But SYD Tower suggest plane to be heading towards Maitland/William Town which is more of a SE direction from Corker?
3. At time of last radio would you agree plane was likely to be traveling at 80-90 knots attempting to climb to a more appropriate cruising height
4. Does anyone know the likely actions/SOP on stall of this type of aircraft
That should get me started....
Hi Steve,
DeleteSorry, I had missed this one till now.
1) = Correct
2) = Don't know about that one. I'll ask some people I know. In the meantime note that the National Archives have released a raft of material re VH-MDX and such answer's may be there.
3) = Personally I would agree that the pilot would have had all the power on available to him, whether that equated to traveling at 80-90 knots I don't know.
4) = For most aircraft this would involve
a) Reduce the Angle of Attack (AOA) - get teh nose down.
b) Apply Full Power
c) Flaps approx 20
d) Climb on recovery and reduce flaps
The specifics for a C210 may vary and should be sourced from the aircraft's operating manual.
Hi Steve, hope this gets you started. 1.The evidence suggests near the corker,NE heading. 2.Was heading towards williamtown but then a left turn towards the east and over steering towards the NE ,then passes over Careys peak ridge and dissapairs from radar ,radio contact was lost too.3.At the time of the last radio contact the plane was likely to be in steep and fast plunge from the sky.4.It is possible that the wing or wings came off the plane.Do not take this info as fact,it is a best guess from what information is out there.Good luck.....
ReplyDeleteis anyone going to acknowledge the witness sightings from monkerai onwards toward the coast? of which there are many
ReplyDeleteYour work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us. blogged topics
ReplyDelete