Our special guest speaker Captain Rod Lovell recounts the story of the 1994 ditching of DC-3, VH-EDC in Botany Bay that saved 25 lives.

On 24 April 1994, long before Sully became famous for ditching a plane into the Hudson River, 25 passengers were saved when a pilot decided to ditch a DC-3 aircraft into Botany Bay after encountering problems just seconds after taking off from Sydney Airport.

Born in Victor Harbor in 1949, Rod was raised on his parents ‘ mixed farm in Middleton. After completing his education at Victor Harbor High School, Rod joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1968. He qualified as an instrument fitter in 1971 and was selected for pilot training. Rod graduated from the No 80 Pilots Course in 1972.

Rod went on to fly supersonic Mirage jets and later transitioned to Orion aircraft, operating out of Edinburgh in South Australia. In 1978, Rod left the RAAF to pursue a career in civil aviation.

In 1994, while commanding a DC-3 charter out of Sydney, the aircraft suffered an engine failure on take-off. Just 46 seconds later, Rod successfully ditched the plane, saving all 25 people on board. In response, the Civil Aviation Authority suspended his licence.

The following decades have been devoted to writing a book and seeking vindication. Unable to fly in Australia, Rod travelled to America to regain his licence.

A fellow car-club enthusiast, Rod is a proud member of the Jaguar Car Club of SA and collects vintage tractors. He also volunteers his time flying remote Australians in need of non-emergency specialist medical treatment to their appointments through Angel Flight.

You can read more about this remarkable South Australian at www.fromherotozero.com.au .