VH-ABI (C172) — routes, history & safety record

Register facts: CASA Register of Civil Aircraft (open data, file dated October 1, 2026).

We’re still collecting data for this aircraft. Routes appear once we’ve seen it fly enough times.

Safety history

No recorded accidents or incidents for this aircraft in FlightFinder’s database.

Earlier aircraft with this registration

Registrations are reused. These records predate the airframe built in 1980 and belong to earlier aircraft that carried VH-ABI.

January 18, 1939AccidentHull loss
The aircraft was carrying a load of 700 pounds of mail from Darwin to Adelaide with an intermediate stop in Katherine. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft encountered problem to gain height. It eventually stalled and crashed in the Katherine River located near the airport and came to rest in 6 feet of water. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed. Crew: J. A. Jukes, pilot, C. R. Clarke, pilot, P. I. Donegan, copilot and flight engineer.
Lockheed 14 Super Electra · 4 fatalities
It was determined that the single runway of only 700 yards was marginal for the type of aircraft. Wheel marks on the runway indicated that there had been five attempts at becoming airborne before the boundary fence prompted one last desperate attempt at lifting off with too little airspeed. Full accident record