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:

[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.]

Originally Posted by AdamC

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

Just the one pic, Adam:

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by Ray P.

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.