Ditching involving a de Havilland DH-82, VH-TSG, 5 km east of Surfers Gardens, Queensland, on 27 February 1994

The joy-flight was proceeding northwards over the beach of Surfers Paradise and had been cruising at 500 feet for just over a minute when the engine power reduced to idle. After conducting his trouble checks and finding no way to restore power the pilot selected an area for a landing on the beach. The aircraft came to rest in shallow water after manoeuvring to avoid people on the beach.

On inspecting the engine area, the pilot found that a ball joint in a push-pull rod to the carburettor throttle valve had failed, allowing the throttle to close. Further examination by the maintenance organisation revealed that a plate to which the rod was attached was shaped incorrectly. This caused the spring-loaded ball joint to wear abnormally until it fell off. The engine had been overhauled 200 hours earlier.