November 14th 2024.
Phillip Pembroke never had the opportunity to meet his father, despite being named after him. He came into existence while his mother was pregnant, a tiny fetus on the night his dad disappeared 43 years ago. It was a heartbreaking and mysterious moment that has haunted Phillip ever since. His father, Phillip Pembroke senior, was returning from a trip with friends and a pilot when their small plane went missing over the Barrington Tops National Park in New South Wales. It was August 9, 1981, and the last words heard from pilot Michael Hutchins were filled with fear and panic before all communication was lost.
The days and weeks following the crash were filled with immense search efforts, involving helicopters and volunteers combing through the dense bushland of the park. Despite their best efforts, no trace of the wreckage or the five men on board was ever found. It remains the only unrecovered aircraft on the Australian mainland since World War II, a haunting fact that has left many unanswered questions for the families of those lost.
Phillip grew up hearing stories about his father, a former solicitor turned nursing home proprietor. He was described as a fun-loving and adventurous man, who enjoyed spending time with his friends and being out on the water. It's a shame that Phillip never had the chance to meet him, and he often wonders what kind of relationship they would have had.
Over the years, there have been numerous searches for the missing plane, with no success. Every year, the New South Wales Police and the State Emergency Service conduct training exercises in the area, gradually expanding their search zone. Amateur aviation enthusiasts have also taken it upon themselves to join in the search efforts, hoping to solve the mystery. Phillip has even taken part in a few of these expeditions, coming face to face with the challenging terrain of the Barrington Tops.
The thick and impenetrable bushland has proven to be a formidable obstacle in the search for the Cessna VH-MDX. Despite advancements in technology, it has been difficult to locate the wreckage. Darren Taylor, an avid outdoorsman, has made it his personal mission to find the plane and bring closure to the families involved. He has even lodged a parliamentary petition, urging the government to step in and provide resources to aid in the search.
One of the technologies that could potentially assist in the search is LiDAR imaging. This remote sensing technique uses laser beams to create three-dimensional maps of an environment, and more modern equipment could be used to focus on the forest floor. However, the area was only mapped for general topography and not specifically for locating a plane. The petition calls for the government to explore resources available through the Royal Australian Air Force or the Australian Defence Force.
Phillip has signed the petition and hopes that the government will lend its support. He believes that with the technology available today, a more concerted effort can be made to find the missing men and bring them home. It's a sentiment shared by many, including Merrilea Kleins, whose father was also on board the Cessna. She believes that it's time for the government to intervene and put an end to the mystery once and for all.
It's been a difficult journey for the families of those lost in the crash. Phillip's mother, Yvonne, never remarried or had any more children after the incident. She held onto hope that her husband would be found alive, and it was challenging for her to move on. Merrilea also shares a similar sentiment, feeling that the plane will never be found unless the government takes action. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau closed their investigation in 1983, and the Department of Transport declined to comment on the petition.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, the families of those lost in the VH-MDX tragedy continue to hold onto hope. They hope that one day, with the government's support and advancements in technology, they will be able to bring their loved ones home and finally put the mystery to rest. It's a small glimmer of hope in a heartbreaking and enduring story that has spanned over four decades.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
