Indee Station WA

I can still clearly remember the Viscount crash, it was horrendous news and shocked everyone in Australia. It was one of Australia's worst air disasters.

The wing separated in flight just as they were on descent into Port Hedland.
The wing spar failed because someone (never identified) pressed in an oversize bushing in the wing spar, and then "belled" the ends, against any recommended repair practice.

The belled bushing shortened the lifespan of the wing spar, and when the wing spar snapped, the aircraft was doomed beyond any attempt to save it.

ABC News article - Viscount crash

ATSB report - Viscount VH-RMQ crash

Interestingly, I have a friend I met many years after the crash, and he told me, he was working in the North of W.A. as a mechanical fitter, at that time, and was supposed to have been on that flight.

However, his shift was cancelled at the last minute, for some reason I can't recall at present, and another work associate took his place. Just goes to show you how lucky you can be.

Cheers, Ron.