VH-UBZ (01) Cessna 402B
(c/n 402-0025)
These two images of -UBZ were taken at around the same
time. Geoff Goodall's above was
at Emerald, Queensland in August 1974 whilst the aircraft was operating
a Nationwide sched-
uled passenger service, whilst John Wheatley's below, was in the hangar
at Bankstown under-
going some heavy
maintenance. The 402B was named Utililiner or Businessliner by
Cessna,
depending on
the cabin trim. Obviously the
former was more austere. Delivered to Rex
Aviation in November 1970 (ex
N5425M), it was sold to Aerial
Services Tasmania Pty Ltd
of Launceston
with whom it remained
until October 1973 when it was acquired by Nationwide
Air Services, and
used by them in outback
Queensland commuter routes. By 1975 it was flying
with
Aeropelican Intercity Commuter out
of Newcastle on the route from that city to Sydney's
Mascot
Airport. Sold to Gates Aviation of Cairns, it
suffered an accident at Yam Island, Qld.
when it overran
the runway on 13
February 1984 and then collided with a large rock. In defence
of
the pilot it must be
noted that two cyclists had
appeared on the edge of the runway which
distracted him since he feared he might
hit
them. Repaired, it was sold to Greig's Aviation also
of
Cairns and was finally written off in another accident at Badu
Island in the Torres Strait on
29 October
1986. This rego was confusingly re-issued to
another 402,
a Model C in 1998.