VH-TMK (2) de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger
Moth
(c/n T250)
According to our Tiger expert, VH-TMK was built out of
bits in 1980 at West Maitland aerodrome
by the Royal Newcastle Aero Club's then chief engineer Lance
Fletcher. For some reason (probably
because Lance had the plate) it
was given the c/n T.250. Having said that, DH
rebuild number T250
belongs to Tiger T5531 (c/n 83250)
which ultimately became VH-CXV and has always been quoted
as 83250 on the register since its
days as VH-ATD and VH-RNL. It is possible that, while
as -RNL,
it lost its rebuild identity plate
one day and that it wound up on the hybrid -TMK. Whatever,
this "Black
Beauty" was eventually acquired by
the Royal Aero Club of W.A. whereupon it shed its lustrous glossy
black finish for the inevitable
RAAF training yellow. VH-TMK was destroyed in a crash on 2
February
1998. The
aircraft had been hired by a private individual and was performing
aerobatics south of Janda-
kot, Perth.
Reading between the lines it
appears as if the slats deployed, either because they weren't
locked down or that the locking
mechanism was worn and they
involuntarily deployed. Just why that
would result in structural
failure of the mainplane I am not
sure, but it was given as
a
possible cause.
Whatever, the aircraft plunged to the ground after pulling
out of a low altitude loop, shedding various
bits and pieces of wing as it did so
(according to eye witness reports at
the time). Both pilot and
passenger were killed. The above
image by Geoff
Goodall was taken at the March 1985 Mangalore,
Victoria air
show.