Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 near York: 29 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1950 at 2212 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-4
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ANA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Perth – Adelaide – Melbourne
MSN:
42910
YOM:
1946
Location:
York
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
29
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft christened 'Amana' left Perth Airport runway 29 at 2150LT on a regular schedule service to Melbourne via Adelaide. Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered technical problems with the engine number four that must be shut down. Later, few other problems occurred on the three remaining engines, and in such situation, the captain decided to return to Perth for a safe landing. During the last turn completed by night and at low height, the aircraft hit trees and crashed in a wooded area located 19 km northwest of York. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. A passenger was seriously injured while 28 other occupants were killed. Six days later, the only survivor died from his terrible injuries.
Probable cause:
The Inquiry found that the aircraft suffered a total loss of engine power on at least one occasion, followed by rapid loss of height until it struck the ground. However, the evidence did not allow the court to determine the cause of the total loss of engine power. Consequently, the court was unable to determine the cause of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DL in Perth: 18 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1949 at 0215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
VH-MME
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Perth – Carnarvon – Darwin
MSN:
9350
YOM:
1943
Flight number:
MV772
Location:
Perth
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
After a night takeoff, while climbing to a height of 600 pieds, the aircraft christened 'Fitzroy' nosed down and plunged into the earth, crashing in a huge explosion with flaps and undercarriage retracted. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The report confirmed that the crash occurred because the aircraft stalled and the pilots were unable to regain control. However, the evidence was not sufficient to allow determination of what caused the stall. The report conceded that over-loading of the aircraft's rear baggage compartment may have contributed to the stall. The inquiry was critical of the operator and the Department of Civil Aviation. In particular, it was critical of the operator's poor standards of maintenance of aircraft instruments. For this reason, the inquiry recommended the operator's airline licence should be suspended or cancelled. It also considered the Department should have made more checks of the operator's methods and record keeping. The Minister declined to take action against the operator, saying its maintenance record keeping had improved significantly since the accident. He also cited the hardship that would be inflicted on many remote communities in Western Australia if the operator's airline licence were to be suspended or cancelled.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in Perth: 13 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1945 at 0533 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
39067
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Perth – Adelaïde
MSN:
10017
YOM:
1943
Location:
Perth
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The crew departed Perth Airport runway 11 in foggy conditions. Three minutes after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft did not gain sufficient height, hit a tree and crashed in flames in Gooseberry Hill. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 13 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Lt William C. Armstrong, pilot,
Ens Victor F. Padelsky, copilot,
A1c Robert A. Dunleavy,
A2c Stanley A. Gober,
A1c James A. Glenn,
Cdr R. R. Helbert,
Lt Cdr Montrose G. McCormick,
Lt Sidney S. Cook,
Cre Robert V. Daly,
Tec Buships C. L. Nelson,
Anne Woodward,
Geraldine Crow,
Cecil Nichols.

Crash of a Douglas C-53-DO Skytrooper near Mungalalu-Truscott AFB

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-20066
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Perth – Broome – Darwin
MSN:
4836
YOM:
1941
Location:
Mungalalu-Truscott AFB
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Perth to Darwin with an intermediate stop in Broome. At night, the crew overflew Broome as he was unable to locate the airport. He continued to the northeast until the fuel tanks were empty. Due to a fuel exhaustion, the captain attempted an emergency landing in a field located 10 km southwest of Mungalalu-Truscott AFB, some 383 miles northeast of Broome. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site, and all six occupants were rescued few days later.
Crew:
2nd Lt Ray Van Diver, pilot,
Mel Lewis, copilot,
Sgt Buck Lambert, flight engineer,
Cpl Mal Scharp, radio operator.
Passengers:
David Campbell,
Jack Lyons.
Photos: http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/c-53/41-20066.html
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon 2 in Broome

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1942
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UVN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Broome – Perth
MSN:
6106
YOM:
1936
Location:
Broome
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Broome Airport, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a field located 5 km south of the airport, bursting into flames. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into the North Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
BL-127
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Perth – Stavanger
Location:
North Sea
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew took deliver of the airplane at Perth Airfield and was supposed to fly to Stavanger, Norway. En route, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the North Sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.
Crew:
Lt Rudolf Gottschalk, pilot,
Sgt Pekka Kallakari, radio operator.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV on Mt Ben Inner: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
P4848
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Perth – Saint Athan
MSN:
9363
YOM:
1939
Location:
Mt Ben Inner
Dumfries and Galloway
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Perth to RAF Saint Athan, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of Mt Ben Inner located near Carsphairn. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Kenneth Norman Masters Eyres, pilot.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Simmonds Spartan Gipsy II in Mundaring Weir

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Simmonds Spartan
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Perth – Adelaide
MSN:
63
YOM:
1932
Location:
Mundaring Weir
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While overflying a hilly and wooded area, the pilot encountered downdraft and was unable to maintain control of the aircraft that crashed in a wooded area. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control due to severe downdraft.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth in Shankend

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Arthur Edward Dobell
Registration:
G-AALK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Brooklands – Perth
MSN:
1174
YOM:
1930
Location:
Shankend
Roxburghshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near the Shankend Railway Station while on a flight from Brooklands to Perth. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Crash of a Vickers 198 Viastra II in Perth

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viastra
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UOM
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Perth – Kalgoorlie – Adelaide
MSN:
2
YOM:
1931
Location:
Perth
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, a propeller blade on the left engine detached and impacted the fuselage, damaging control cables and hitting a passenger. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in Redcliffe, near the airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all 12 occupants evacuated safely.
Probable cause:
Loss of a propeller blade on the left engine shortly after takeoff.
Subscribe to Perth