Region
Oceania

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Modbury

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ULL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Adelaide - Adelaide
MSN:
712
YOM:
1928
Location:
Adelaide
South Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight out from Adelaide-Parafield Airport. In flight, while completing aerobatics manoeuvre, a wing failed. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed, injuring both occupants.
Probable cause:
Wing failure.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth off Gerringong: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Jesse E. O’Connor
Registration:
VH-UHF
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
406
YOM:
1927
Location:
Gerringong
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While flying off Seven Miles Beach, Gerringong, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea. Both occupants Jesse E. O’Connor and Wilbert Berg were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth at RAAF Laverton

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
A7-21
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Laverton AFB - Laverton AFB
MSN:
602
YOM:
1928
Location:
Laverton AFB (Melbourne)
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAAF Laverton for a local training flight. The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances upon landing and was damaged beyond repair. Both crew members were injured.

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

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
G-AUAM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Adelaide - Adelaide
MSN:
364
YOM:
1927
Location:
Adelaide-Parafield
South Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot L. Birks was performing a local training flight at Parafield Airport, Adelaide. On final approach, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot, sole on board.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.50A in Geraldton

Date & Time: May 11, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.50
Operator:
Registration:
G-AUFD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Geraldton – Perth
MSN:
1
YOM:
1928
Location:
Geraldton
Western Australia
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Geraldton Airport. There were no casualties.

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

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
A7-19
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wangaratta – Laverton
MSN:
600
YOM:
1928
Location:
Wangaratta
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, in initial climb, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed, bursting into flames. Second pilot F/O Herbert Warland remained trapped inside the aircraft and perished despite the efforts of first pilot Swinbourne to enter the wreckage to save his passenger, receiving severe burns in doing so. Ironically, at the time of the accident, Swinbourne was the Secretary of the Air Accidents Investigation Committee.

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

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
A7-12
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Richmond - Richmond
MSN:
551
YOM:
1928
Location:
Richmond AFB
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAAF Richmond, the aircraft hit trees and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Second pilot L. L. Colless died a day later.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 near Moss Vale

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
A7-20
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
601
YOM:
1928
Location:
Moss Vale
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, crew was forced to make an emergency landing for unknown reason. Aircraft eventually came to rest in the vicinity of the Burradoo Station, near Moss Vale. Both occupants were unhurt but aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 in Marulan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1929 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Crimson Aircraft
Registration:
G-AUHA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Goulburn - Sydney
MSN:
426
YOM:
1927
Location:
Marulan
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft arrived at Goulburn at 0800LT and was supposed to continue to Sydney. Weather conditions deteriorated and both occupants, Cpt E. W. Cornish, owner of the aircraft and his pupil, G. K. Wride, were advised by Cpt Matheson, an instructor with the Goulburn Aero Club, not to continue the flight. Nevertheless Cornish elected to carry on and evidently Wride was in control when the aircraft, flying at around 100-150 feet, nose dived onto a stony ridge located 3 miles from Marulan. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Source: Ed Coates.

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

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
A7-8
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Richmond - Richmond
MSN:
541
YOM:
1928
Location:
Richmond AFB
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After completing a training mission in the region of Richmond Airbase, the pilot Robert F. Sommerville decided to make a low pass over his future father-in-law's property. While flying too low, he hit his future father-in-law who was killed instantly. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a field, bursting into flames. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. Sgt Sommerville was charged with Manslaughter but was acquitted, and was reduced in rank and grounded. Later he regained flying status.
Probable cause:
Poor judgement on part of the pilot.
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