Crash of a Vickers 720 Viscount off Sydney: 15 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1961 at 1925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-TVC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sydney – Canberra
MSN:
46
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
AN325
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Captain / Total flying hours:
16016
Captain / Total hours on type:
2748.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4145
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1731
Aircraft flight hours:
16946
Aircraft flight cycles:
12010
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged on a scheduled transport service from Sydney to Canberra. It carried a crew of four and eleven passengers. According to the approved flight plan, the pilot proposed to proceed to Canberra via the 222 track to Marulan, the first reporting point. At the time of departure this was changed, because of inbound traffic, to the 244 diversion, which avoids Botany Bay. At 1915:43 the Approach Controller instructed the flight to "continue runway heading to 3 000 ft before turning left and to pass over the field at 5 000 ft or above. The flight was then cleared for take-off from runway 07. At 1921:50 the Approach Controller asked the aircraft to report its altitude. It was at 6 000 ft. Shortly thereafter (at 1922:05) the controller communicated as follows:" . . . now if you haven't passed over the field you can proceed via the 217 from Padstow. The 222 is available, but I suggest the 217 due to the storm to the south of the field, report setting course from Padstow 217." The flight acknowledged at 1922:20 hours. None of the messages that followed from the Approach Controller were answered. Between 1925 and 1926 hours the aircraft plunged into Botany Bay, killing all aboard.
Probable cause:
During a descent in excess of 260 kt, the pilot's actions, when trying to regain control of the aircraft, caused the aircraft to exceed its stress limits. This factor together with speed and turbulence caused the starboard outer wing to fail.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 in Brisbane: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1961 at 0435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-TAA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sydney – Brisbane
MSN:
43065
YOM:
1946
Flight number:
TN1902
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
13019
Captain / Total hours on type:
378.00
Aircraft flight hours:
46006
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Sydney to Brisbane. On short final in good weather conditions, the four engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. The wreckage was found few hours later at Bulwer Island, about 1,5 km southeast of runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred during the pre-landing circuit when the captain tried to leave his seat under the influence of a disordered cardiac function and, in the course of so doing, collapsed across the engine control console in such a way as to bring all four throttle levers to the closed position depriving the first officer of the throttle movement necessary to avoid a crash-landing off the airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK off Sydney: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1960
Operator:
Registration:
VH-INI
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sydney - Sydney
MSN:
12252
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight out from Sydney Airport. En route, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 24 km off shore. Some debris were found the following morning at 0700LT while the main wreckage sank by a important depth. No trace of the crew was ever found.
Crew:
Cpt R. Thomas,
F/O G. Thom,
F/O L. Campbell.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the accident.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson I in Melbourne

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-BNS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Melbourne – Sydney
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Melbourne-Moorabbin Airport, while climbing to a height of 20 feet, the right engine failed. The aircraft stalled, hit the ground past the runway end, lost its undercarriage, went through a fence and came to rest in a field. While both crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine just after liftoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK off Wollongong: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1952 at 1130 LT
Operator:
Registration:
A65-113
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sydney - Sydney
MSN:
16711/33459
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Sydney-Mascot at 1034LT on a meteorological mission consisting of clouds measurement with four crew members and two employees of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). While flying in poor weather conditions, the crew obtained the permission to descend from 6,000 to 2,000 feet when both engines failed simultaneously. The airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 27 miles east of Wollongong. Few debris were found floating on water and all six occupants have been killed.
Crew:
F/Lt A. Tafe, pilot,
S/Ldr P. G. Fisher, copilot,
W/O G. G. Bocquet, radio operator,
ACW M. E. Costello.
Passengers:
Mr. F. Campbell,
Mr. R. S. Styles.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 in Sydney

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AND
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Melbourne – Sydney
MSN:
42950
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties to stop and overran. The airplane hit a drain, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was heavily damaged. It was later considered as damaged beyond economical repair.

Crash of a Douglas VC-47D near Sydney

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1952
Operator:
Registration:
43-49226
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15042/26487
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Weather conditions deteriorated in flight and the crew lost his orientation. Due to fuel exhaustion, all 18 occupants decided to abandon the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a remote area. All 18 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Padstow: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1952 at 1543 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
VH-BFI
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bankstown – Sydney
MSN:
105145
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was returning to its base in Sydney-Mascot and departed Bankstown Airport at 1528LT with one pilot on board, a stewardess and her son. Approaching Sydney, the pilot decided to return to Bankstown and informed ATC shortly later that an engine failed and requested assistance for a straight-in approach. While descending to Bankstown Airfield, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in Padstow, about 4,5 km southeast of the airport. The stewardess was killed instantly while the pilot was seriously injured and the kid was slightly injured. Few hours later, the pilot died from his injuries.
Crew:
B. J. Moore, pilot,
L. F. Gregory, stewardess.
Passenger:
L. T. Gregory.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Avro 691 Lancastrian 3 in Sydney

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-EAV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sydney – Auckland
MSN:
1291
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While accelerating during the takeoff run, the four engine aircraft deviated to the left. The captain applied right rudder and advanced the throttles with the number one engine leading to compensate. Unfortunately, the number one engine failed. Despite this corrective action, the airplane went out of control and veered off runway to the right. When it departed the pavement, the right main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft came to rest. All seven crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number one during takeoff procedure.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson I off Swansea

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-BAB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nabiac – Sydney
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising along the shore, the left engine failed. Shortly later, the right engine lost power and failed as well. In such conditions, the pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft about 10 miles south of Swansea. All eleven occupants took refuge on both wings and were later rescued by the crew of a fishing boat while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure.