TAA Flight 538 Multi-Cache
Ngaambul: No response from the owner within the time requested and as per the original note this cache has been archived. If you wish to replace it please submit a new cache via this link.
Ministro - Matt
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Memorial to those who lost their lives in the crash of TAA Flight 538.
THE CACHE IS NOT HIDDEN AT THE LISTED CO-ORDINATES.
This aircraft crash resulted in the second largest loss of life in an Australian aircraft accident (the biggest occurred at Bakers Creek in 1943).
It occurred on 10 June 1960 just off the coast where the Memorial is situated. The twin-engined plane, a Fokker Friendship registration VH-TFB, belonged to Trans Australian Airlines (TAA). It was operating Flight 538 from Brisbane to Townsville with stops at Maryborough, Rockhampton and Mackay.
While on final approach to land at night in foggy conditions, it flew into the ocean south-east of Mackay at approximately 10pm. Wreckage was found the next day between Flat Top and Round Top Islands. The major sections of wreckage were found several days later south-west of Round Top Island.
A Board of Accident Inquiry could not determine a particular cause for the accident. The aircraft had flown into the ocean for no apparent reason. "Black-box" flight recorders were still being developed in the 1960's and one of the Board's recommendations was to install the devices into all Australian commercial airliners when they were available. I am also led to believe that the white and green rotating beacon on the Mackay air traffic control tower was another one of the Board's recommendations.
Hope you've learnt something about our aviation history.
Good Luck & Enjoy the Hunt.
STEP 1
Waypoint 1
X = How many RAAF personnel were on the flight?
Y = How many people were in the crew?
Z = How many school boys joined the flight in Rockhampton?
STEP 2
Waypoint = South 21° 10.ABC East 149° 11.DEF
Where:
A = X
B = X - 1
C = Y
D = Z - 2X
E = 2X
F = Z - X
The cache container is a 400ml sistema container so there is some room for small swaps.
Some stealth will be required to keep the cache safe from muggles. Please take the time to rehide the cache carefully so it is not muggled.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur Zrzbevny unf zber guna bar cyndhr.