Jet Connect diversion to RAAF Base East Sale

[Ray P.]

After watching the aircraft flying low on approach over my home, I have investigated and found that a brand new JetConnect B738 (ZK-ZQC) made a diversion to RAAF Base East Sale enroute between Auckland and Melbourne after a passenger collapsed during the flight. I will post some pics when I get back to the home computer. The aircraft sat on the ground for around an hour and a quarter, defuelling some excess fuel before continuing on its journey to Tullamarine.

[Anthony T]

It was QF26 from (LAX)-AKL-MEL

QF26 Auckland Sale 12:58 (Sun) 14:40 (Sun) Landed
QF26 Sale Melbourne 16:00 (Sun) 16:30 (Sun) 16:58 (Sun) Landed

[Ray P.]

Some Pics:

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Groover158/_DSC1363.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Groover158/_DSC1367.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Groover158/_DSC1393.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Groover158/_DSC1410.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Groover158/_DSC1417.jpg

[AdamC]

Thanks for the pictures Ray,

i was driving out there to get some as the aircraft took off.

Did you get any of the squirrel sitting there at all.

Cheers

Adam

[Ray P.]

...Did you get any of the squirrel sitting there at all. ...

Just the one pic, Adam:

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss64/Groover158/_DSC1360.jpg

[chrisb]

defuelling some excess fuel

Was this due to runway length at Sale?

[Torin Wilson]

How far is it from East Sale to Tulla? I would have thought going to MEL would have been better?

Anyone know the reasons why E Sale is chosen over MEL for this instance?

[Mark W]

It would depend upon the condition of the patient and advise from Medlink and / or a Doctor on board.

If the advice to the PIC is this patient needs to be on the ground now or he /she will die, and you are closer to Australia than New Zealand, then Sale is really the first appropriate aerodrome, and is also near a major hospital.

30 minutes is probably the time frame, but 30 minutes can make all the difference.

[Mike W]

On a side note, does anyone else think it's wierd that this aircraft sports the "Spirit of Australia" tag to the QF logo but the NZ flag down the back?

I think the Jet Connect '300s and '400s had the "Spirit of Australia" omitted.

[Adam G]

The 300's & 400's had the titles removed because they operated domestic NZ routes, now JC only operates the tasman routes it would seem appropriate that they are the same as aus aircraft.

The only real difference is that the aircraft is registered in NZ & operated by NZ based crews - they are operating the identical routes to those previously (and on some routes still) operated by the mainline aircraft.

[Raymond Rowe]

The other reason they are registered ZK is the crews get paid a lot less than the Aussie crews.

[Jack B]

is it just the Cabin Crew who are NZ based, or tech crew too?

[AdamC]

Spoke with the ground crew that looked after the jet yesterday, before we took off this morning and the QF aircraft actually took on fuel.

not sure how much.

cheers

Adam

[Ray P.]

I always thought the yellow trucks were the defuelling trucks, and the green (drab) trucks were the tankers. My bad.

[Adam W]

Was this due to runway length at Sale?

Main runway length at East Sale is 2437m which is not an issue for a 738.

[Adam G]

is it just the Cabin Crew who are NZ based, or tech crew too?

Both.