A89-308


Type: L-426 Neptune P2V-5/P-2E
MSN: 426-5087
Previous Identities: 133643
A89-736

History:

06APR51 Allotted serial number A89-736.
15AUG52 Renumbered A89-308.
03DEC52 Received 11SQN ex USA.
08DEC53 Departed Pearce for storage at 3AD Archerfield.
02DEC54 3AD instructed to upgrade the aircraft to fly-away status.
10JAN55 Back at 11SQN by this date.
Mark 2 Conversion
22MAR55
 Received at 2AD Richmond ex 11SQN. (Source: 2 shows 20OCT55) Explanation
18SEP55 Received 11SQN ex 2AD. (Source: 2 shows 13SEP56) Explanation
18OCT55 Landed at Richmond with the undercarriage retracted. (Source: 2)
02NOV55 Allotted to 2AD, Richmond for major servicing and double engine change.
04FEB59

On this day Neptune A89-308 from No 11 Squadron became the only aircraft of this type lost in 26 years of service with the RAAF. The following is quoted verbatim from the 11SQN Operations Record Book:

Fatal accident of A89-308 occurred at 1118 hours (local time) on the edge of the Hawkesbury River, approximately 1.5 miles north of R.A.A.F. Richmond. The aircraft was engaged in E.C.M. trials and the Captain was authorised to carry out feathering above 4000 feet. Immediately prior to the crash, the starboard engine was observed to be on fire and a radio transmission confirmed the Captains intention to attempt a forced landing. At a height of less than 100 feet the starboard wing was observed to break away, resulting in the aircraft striking the ground inverted. It exploded on impact. All crew members perished. The following is the list of crew members of aircraft A89-308:-

Captain SQN LDR G.R. Cullen 05830
Co-Pilot PLT OFF G.I. Holmes 014395
Navigator FLT LT R.A. Kydd 023853
Navigator SGT J.M. Rock A213190
Signaller SQN LDR J.K. McDonald 011330
Signaller FLG OFF F.J. Wood 02483
Signaller PLT OFF T.P. O'Sullivan 023340
Signaller W OFF V.J. McCarthy A24672

12MAR59 Approved for conversion of airframe and engines to scrap.
01MAY59 "Squadron Leader E.V.T. Shields Tech and party of No. 11 (MR) Squadron arrived at Neutral Bay and proceeded to sea to dump u/s classified equipment from aircraft A89-308." (Source: Operations Record Book, No. 2 Aircraft Depot)

 

Notes

  • The first two aircraft (A89-301 & 302) were commenced as P2V-4 but were brought up close to P2V-5 standard on the production line. Nevertheless, there were differences between these two aircraft and the following ten, principally in their electrical systems.
  • Initially, RAAF serials were "scrambled" for security reasons.
  • Mark 1 - Initially all P2V-5 were designated as Mark 1.
  • Mark 2 - With the removal of the nose and tail turrets and the addition of a clear nose and a MAD boom, the aircraft were redesignated as Mark 2.
  • Mark 3 - With the removal of the dorsal turret they were redesignated as Mark 3.
  • Mark 4 - With the addition of Westinghouse J34 jet pods they were redesignated P2V-5F Mark 4.
  • In 1962 the P2V-5 designation was changed to P-2E in line with USN designations.
  • All P2V-5/P-2E served with No 11 Squadron RAAF, initially at Pearce, WA but by 31MAY54 the squadron had completed its move to Richmond, NSW.

 

 

SOURCES
1
 NAA, RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 11 Squadron Nov 50 - Jun 67, Series number A9186.
2
 RAAF Form E/E.88 Record Card.


Issue Date Remarks
8 15FEB22
Added an image thanks to Ken Watson.
7 02NOV21
Added details of the Mk 2 conversion.
6 12JUL19
Added a list of the crew members who perished in the crash of A89-308. Also replaced the account of the crash with a direct quote from the 11SQN ORB.
5 27FEB16
Added an image of a Neptune believed to be A89-308. Thanks to Maurice Ritchie.
4 20NOV15
Added details of the storage at Archerfield.
3 18NOV15
Added a reference to parts being dumped at sea on 01MAY59.
2 27AUG15
Added two images thanks to James Doulis and Bob Livingstone.
1 24NOV02
Original issue.





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