LAKE LA-4-200 BUCCANEER VH-EJX
MSN 596
(AA000052)

 

 

QAM thanks Chris Morgan for the donation of this aircraft.

 
N65665
    
    Registered N65665. (Source: 1)
06NOV74
   Uncrated and assembled by John Milton Pty. Ltd. at Bankstown, NSW and inspected for Australian CofA. Fitted with Lycoming IO-360-AIB s/n L11905-51A. Australian Log Book opened at 16 hours from American log book and tachometer. (Source: 2)
13NOV74
   Radio inspection by Aviotronics Pty. Limited. (Source: 2)
14NOV74
   Electrical work by Walker Aviation, Bankstown. (Source: 2)
VH-EJX
    
06DEC74
   Registered VH-EJX (CofR 8708) to Kevin Bowe trading as Air Whitsunday, Happy Bay, QLD. (Source: 1)
17DEC74
   Test flown at Bankstown and subsequently ferried to Air Whitsunday's base at Happy Bay on Long Island, Whitsunday. (Source: 3)
23DEC74
   First commercial flight with Air Whitsunday. (Source: 3)
20DEC75
   Damage to starboard wing repaired by Anstey Rose Aircraft Engineers Pty. Ltd., Rockhampton. (Source: 2)
07OCT77
   To this date the aircraft was maintained by B.M. Ramsay (Lic. No. G9550) (1325.04 hours). Major inspection due 01DEC77. (Source: 2)
28NOV77
   Withdrawn from use. (Source: 1)
23DEC77
   Major instrument inspection by Wilmor Accessories Pty. Ltd., Bankstown. (Source: 2)
03JAN78
   Radio inspection by Aviotronics Pty. Limited. (Source: 2)
03JAN78
   Major electrical inspection by Walker Aviation. (Source: 2)
28FEB78
   Major inspection by John Cameron Aviation. (1427 hours). (Source: 2)
01MAR78
   Registered to Kevin Bowe trading as Air Whitsunday, Airlie Beach, QLD. (Source: 1)
18APR78
   100 hourly inspection by Howard Wilson Aviation Pty. Ltd., Rockhampton (1527 hours). (Source: 2)
12OCT78
   Compass swing carried out at Bankstown. (Source: 2)
18OCT78
   Registered to Intran Aviation, Bankstown Airport, NSW. (Source: 1)
28OCT78
   Undercarriage collapsed on landing at Bankstown. (Source: 1)
09SEP79
   Maintenance Release issued by Adams Aviation Pty. Ltd., Bankstown (1768.18 hours). (Source: 2)
19NOV79
   Storm damage to right aileron repaired. (Source: 2)
01SEP80
   Major inspection by Adams Aviation Pty. Ltd., Bankstown (1810 hours). (Source: 2)
06SEP80
   Registered to David Absolon, North Mackay, QLD. (Source: 1)
24DEC80
   Periodic inspection by Howard Wilson Aviation Pty. Ltd., Rockhampton (1910 hours). (Source: 2)
29JUL81
   Periodic inspection by Air Whitsunday (2109.50 hours). (Source: 2)
15JAN82
   Prop change by Howard Wilson Aviation Pty. Ltd., Rockhampton (2219.56 hours). (Source: 2)
05APR83
   Registered to Golden Wings Aviation, Townsville, QLD. (Source: 1)
The aircraft was named Splatterpus 1 image
03OCT83
   Major inspection by Townsville Aviation Services Pty. Ltd. (2235 hours). This work involved 769 man-hours and was invoiced at $14306.80. A maintenance release issued on this day bears a sticker stating "Handle Like Eggs"! (Source: 2)
23JAN84
   Repairs by Golden Wings Aviation Services (Townsville). (Source: 2)
10MAR84
   Minor damage when wind swung aircraft into a concrete block on a beach near Townsville, QLD. (Source: 1)
(This is not reflected in the aircraft log book).
19JUN85
   Periodic inspection and repairs by Rundle Air Service Pty. Ltd., Townsville. (2354.7 hours). (Source: 2)
24JUN85
   The aircraft was substantially damaged after the right undercarriage failed on landing at Townsville at 0955 hours. Bureau of Air Safety Investigation Report 8511028 of 31 January 1986 states:

"The student pilot was receiving instruction for an endorsement on the aircraft type. Following a touch and go landing, the instructor closed the throttle to simulate an engine failure. The subsequent landing was firm and the right wheel broke off. The aircraft ground looped through 180 degress before coming to rest. Inspection of the gear leg revealed severe corrosion in the internal section of the leg. The right maingear leg failed on landing due to corrosion. This corrosion apparently had not been detected during the most recent periodic and major inspections, and there was no evidence that the bore of the maingear leg had been coated and sealed to prevent ingress of moisture."

The instructor was William Rutledge Kiernan and the student was Kerry Cameron Herron. Both were uninjured.
07NOV85
   Repairs after landing accident by Rundle Air Service Pty. Ltd., Townsville. (2356.1 hours). (Source: 2)
11NOV85
   Registered to Wattlepark Investments, Rockhampton, QLD. (Source: 1)
27MAY86
   Registered to Roberta Pemberton, Mackay, QLD. (Source: 1)
01DEC86
   Periodic inspection by Howard Wilson Aviation Pty. Ltd., Rockhampton (2435.61 hours). (Source: 2)
31DEC86
   Aircraft removed from runway after starboard undercarriage failure and repairs carried out by Howard Wilson Aviation Pty. Ltd., Rockhampton (2450.4 hours). (Source: 2)
25AUG87
   Minor repairs by Howard Wilson Aviation Pty. Ltd., Rockhampton (2532.4 hours). This is the last entry in the log book.
(Source: 2)
31MAY88
   Registered to Christopher Worsfold, Quirindi, NSW. (Source: 1)
06JUN97
   Withdrawn from use. (Source: 1)
JUN04
   Aircraft, apparently abandoned, inspected at Mackay by Cliff Robinson.
05APR05
   Loan agreement signed between QAM and the owner Mr C Worsfold for the aircraft to be loaned to QAM for a minimum of two years.
06APR05
   QAM recovery party departed for Mackay
12APR05
   Aircraft arrived at QAM Caloundra by road from Mackay
08AUG10
   The aircraft was donated to QAM by Mr Chris Morgan (formerly Worsfold).
JUL11
   The aircraft was moved to the restoration area.
JUL12
   Static restoration completed.

 

The Lake Aviation Buccaneer & Cohorts - A Brief Overview by D.G. Cameron

 

Sources
1
 AustAirData - Tony Arbon.
2
 Aircraft Log Book 1 of 1.
3
 Kevin Bowe

 

Compiled by Ron Cuskelly

 



 

ISSUE
DATE
REMARKS
12
01FEB20
 Added an image of the aircraft carrying Golden Wings Aviation titles and the name Splatterpus 1. Thanks to David Thollar.
11
21AUG18
 Added a link to a paper on the Lake Buccaneer by QAM member Don Cameron.
10
27APR16
 Added an image of the aircraft carrying Golden Wings Aviation titles and the name Splatterpus 1. Thanks to Nick Sayer.
9
22JUL12
 Added an image of the newly restored aircraft.
8
08DEC11
 Added details of the first Australian test flight, delivery to Air Whitsunday and entry into service. Thanks to Kevin Bowe.
7
26NOV11
 Added an image of sister aircraft VH-EJZ in Air Whitsunday markings. The photo was provided by Kevin Bowe who owned Air Whitsunday at the time. Kevin advises that VH-EJX carried an identical colour scheme.
6
20NOV11
 Added an image of the aircraft in its original factory colour scheme thanks to Wal Nelowkin. Also added an image of the aircraft undergoing restoration.
5
14JUL11
 Restoration commenced.
4
17SEP10
 Major update from the aircraft log book.
3
08AUG10
 Ownership has been transferred to QAM.
2
15JAN06
 Added much detail thanks to Tony Arbon.
1
19OCT05
 Original issue.