Zone
Victoria

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL off Hobart: 25 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1946 at 2055 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AET
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hobart – Melbourne
MSN:
6013
YOM:
1942
Location:
Hobart
Tasmania
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1400
Aircraft flight hours:
7477
Circumstances:
Two minutes after takeoff from Hobart-Cambridge Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control, nosed down and crashed in the Derwent estuary, near the Seven Mile Beach. The aircraft was destroyed and no survivor was found among the 25 occupants.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the captain inadvertently switched on the autopilot system in lieu of the fuel cross feed system. A forward movement on the control column was then noted and the aircraft plunged into the sea. At the time of the accident, the capacities and the performances of the captain were considered as reduced because he suffered of diabetes and was under influence of insulin, which could be considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK in Sydney

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1945 at 1346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
A65-77
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sydney – Melbourne
MSN:
15931/32679
YOM:
1945
Location:
Sydney
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
624
Circumstances:
The aircraft commenced takeoff and reached 40 mph when a cross wind gust (stated 57 mph) lifted the starboard wing up, causing the aircraft to swing to port. The pilot straightened the aircraft and tried to take off at 100 mph which was insufficient to remain airborne. Another gust of wind hit the aircraft causing the aircraft to again swing to port. The pilot at this stage closed the engine throttles, touched down and attempted to stop the aircraft with the brakes. The slippery nature of the aerodrome surface prevented the tyres to grip, with the aircraft overshooting the end of the runway into an embankment at a ground speed of 20 mph, causing the undercarriage to collapse.
Crew:
F/O L. F. G. Bugg, pilot,
F/O P. A. McPherson, copilot,
F/O C. M. McInnes, wireless operator.
Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Crash of a Stinson Model A-2W near Redesdale: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1945 at 0825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Stinson Model A
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UYY
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Melbourne – Kerang – Mildura – Broken Hill
MSN:
9130
YOM:
1936
Location:
Redesdale
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Enroute, the outer port wing broke off. The three engine aircraft christened 'Tokana' dove into the ground and crashed near Redesdale, killing all 10 occupants.
Crew:
Alan Murn, pilot,
Orville Openshaw, copilot.
Probable cause:
It appears that the physical loss of the port wing was caused by a structural failure due to the presence of fatigue cracks. Following this accident, it was decreed that all aircraft should henceforth be x-rayed for signs of cracks and structural weaknesses. The presence of turbulence and strong winds at the time of the accident was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas-Tulsa B-24E-25-DT Liberator in Melbourne: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
41-28525
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
117
YOM:
1941
Location:
Melbourne
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training sortie out from Chatham Field, Savannah, Georgia. While cruising along the east coast of Florida, one of the left engine failed. The captain decided to divert to Melbourne Airport but a first attempt to land was aborted. While making a turn to the left for a second attempt to land, the airplane went out of control and crashed. The copilot Basil Huntress 0-818156 was rescued while ten other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of one left engine in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide near Cape Sidmouth

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1944
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ADE
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Melbourne - Cairns
MSN:
6341
Location:
Cape Sidmouth
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. Aircraft ended up on a beach located 13 miles south of Cape Sidmouth, near the Princess Charlotte Bay. The crew of a RAAF Catalina spotted the aircraft a day later and was able to land and to evacuate all six occupants uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide in Wynyard

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1943
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UXT
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Melbourne – Wynyard
MSN:
6346
YOM:
1937
Location:
Wynyard
Tasmania
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown at Wynyard Airport, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a ditch before coming to rest. While all four occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Cpt F. H. Dawson.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Burragorang Valley: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1943 at 1007 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
A34-47
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Sydney – Melbourne
MSN:
2036
YOM:
1943
Location:
Burragorang Valley
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
En route, the twin engine aircraft disappeared. No trace of it nor the crew was ever found. It is believed that the aircraft crashed in the Burragorang Valley, and could possibly be submerged under the waters of Warragamba Dam.
Crew (34th Squadron):
Sgt Douglas Brian Doyle, pilot,
F/O Geoffrey Hugh Lester,
Sgt Francis Joseph Doyle,
Lt Umstead,
Lt Teague.
Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-232A in Melbourne

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ACB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Melbourne – Sydney – Brisbane
MSN:
2030
YOM:
1938
Location:
Melbourne
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Melbourne-Essendon Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the engines. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the captain decided to make an emergency landing and completed a gear-up landing 7 km north of the airport. The aircraft skidded for several yards before coming to rest and was damaged beyond repair. All 15 occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was christened 'Warana'.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by carburetor problems.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide into the Bass Strait: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1942
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UXZ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Melbourne - Flinders Island
MSN:
6365
YOM:
1937
Location:
Bass Strait
All Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'Marika' was performing a schedule flight from Melbourne to the Flinders Island. En route, while cruising over the Bass Strait, an engine failed. The pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea and was lost. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the occupant was found. An engine was eventually found fifty years later.
Probable cause:
Engine failure may be caused by fuel starvation.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Canberra: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1940 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-97
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Melbourne – Canberra
MSN:
414-1951
YOM:
1940
Location:
Canberra
Australian Capital Territory
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Melbourne-Moorabbin to Canberra on behalf of the Australian Government, carrying three Ministers and their staff. On final approach to Canberra in ideal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion some 2 km short of runway. Emergency teams were promptly at the scene but nothing could be done to save the 10 occupants.
Crew:
F/L Robert Edward Hitchcock,
P/O Richard Frederick Wiesener,
Cpl John Frederick Palmer,
AC1 Charles Joseph Crosdale.
Passengers:
Brig Geoffrey Austin Street, Minister for the Army and Repatriation,
James Valentine Fairbairn, Minister for Air and Civil Aviation,
Sir Henry Somer Gullett, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research,
Gen Sir Cyril Brudenell Bingham White, Chief of the General Staff,
Lt Col Francis Thornthwaite, Staff Officer to General White,
Richard Edwin Elford, Fairbairn's private secretary.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the Board of Inquiry found that it was most likely due to the aircraft stalling on approach, resulting in loss of control at a height that was insufficient for recovery.
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