November 12  2006
A Perth based twin-engine Partenavia charter aircraft with 6 POB crashed on Rottnest Island after an apparent engine failure on take-off - all on board escaped serious injury - 2 were hospitalised after been cut from the wreckage

News Desk Comment

Images captured from News Media indicate the right engine may have failed at or about lift-off or shortly thereafter

Most light twins have very marginal performance when fully loaded - any engine malfunction within about 10 seconds of lift-off normally is disastrous - ALL are underpowered when trying to fly on ONE

News Desk Research

Australia's only USA built P-51D Mustang was involved in minor mishap recently at Point Cook - the 'birthplace' of the RAAF

The aircraft - imported into OZ by local Perth businessman Bill Wylie in 1999 - was restored by Rob Poynton of Panama Jacks in 2001

The restoration was based USA's Major William Shomo's Mustang when on assignment to the 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on Mindoro Island Philippines in January 1945 - he shot down 7 Japanese aircraft in one hectic day's action

Built by North American as a reconnaissance aircraft with 2 cameras installed - one ahead of the tailwheel and the other looking out the port side - it was designated as an F-6C but still retained 4 machine guns similar to the P-51B variant