Region
Oceania

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Dromana: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1938 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
A4-29
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1024
YOM:
1937
Location:
Dromana
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training exercise. En route, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to low clouds. The twin engine airplane impacted the slope of hilly and wooded terrain and was partially destroyed. Four crew members were killed while a fifth occupant was injured.
Crew:
Sgt John Gillespie, †
P/O Robert Symmonds, †
AC1 Kenneth McKerrow, †
AC1 Robert Mawson, †
AC1 James Glover.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Liverpool: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
A4-27
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1022
YOM:
1937
Location:
Sydney
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:
The crew was performing a bombing training mission over the Green Hills Bombing Range located near Liverpool on behalf of the 22nd Squadron. While making a turn, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt M. P. Alsopp, pilot,
Cpl W. A. Lockwood,
AC1 R. Lawson,
LAC J. Gordon,
AC1 J. Mackey.
Probable cause:
In their final report published 18 May 1939, the Investigation Board concluded that no specific cause was found. It was determined that the aircraft side-slipped into ground while turning.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Ballarat

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UPU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Melbourne - Melbourne
MSN:
545
YOM:
1928
Location:
Ballarat
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
2800
Circumstances:
While overflying the city of Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft collide with a fence and crashed. Both occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The engine failure was caused by the presence of water in the carburetor.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth in Somerton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UNU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Melbourne - Melbourne
MSN:
1444
YOM:
1930
Location:
Somerton
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a local solo training flight out from Melbourne-Essendon Airport. While making sharp turns exercises, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed in Somerton, 10 km northeast of Essendon Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

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

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
A3-2
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Laverton - Laverton
MSN:
6314
YOM:
1935
Location:
Laverton AFB (Melbourne)
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (two student pilots and one instructor) were conducting a local training mission out from RAAF Laverton in Melbourne. On final approach, while completing a last turn at low height to join the runway, the aircraft impacted the ground with one of its wing, cartwheeled and crashed. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
F/O D. McLean, pilot,
A.C. McLean, wireless operator,
LAC G. A. Everingham.
Probable cause:
Insufficient altitude during the last turn on approach.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.50A in Cairns

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.50
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UFA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1
YOM:
1929
Location:
Cairns
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed for unknown reasons upon landing at Cairns Airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 in Brisbane: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UAV
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Brisbane - Brisbane
MSN:
369
YOM:
1927
Location:
Brisbane-Archerfield
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While taking part to an airshow at Brisbane-Archerfield Airport, the single engine aircraft collided in flight with another DH.60 of the Royal Queensland Aero Club registered VH-UAV. Both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed southeast of the airfield. Both pilots in both aircraft were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Brisbane: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1937
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UAN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Brisbane - Brisbane
MSN:
542
YOM:
1928
Location:
Brisbane-Archerfield
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While taking part to an airshow at Brisbane-Archerfield Airport, the single engine aircraft collided in flight with another DH.60 of the Royal Queensland Aero Club registered VH-UAV. Both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed southeast of the airfield. Both pilots in both aircraft were killed.

Crash of a General Aircraft Genairco in Cairns

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1937
Type of aircraft:
General Aircraft Genairco
Operator:
C. A. Collas
Registration:
VH-UUK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
18
YOM:
1930
Location:
Cairns
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Cairns, the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a swampy area. The pilot was uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Malvern

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1937 at 1840 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ULH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Benalla – Melbourne
MSN:
Genairco 7
Location:
Melbourne
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was being flown by Jack Macalister who was attempting a night landing at Essendon Airport, Melbourne. Due to heavy fog, he flew over the city looking for an alternate landing ground. Attempting to land at the Malvern Oval, he struck the spire of St. George's Anglican church and crashed. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
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