Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Operator:

Registration:

A7-10

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Laverton - Laverton

MSN:

543

YOM:

1928

Location:

Laverton AFB (Melbourne)

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft crashed about 1,500 metres from RAAF Laverton after striking a haystack and shearing of the undercarriage while performing manoeuvres at low level without authorization. The aircraft crashed a short distance from the haystack and was destroyed. Flying Officer Leo J. Ryan survived the impact and was critically injured and later died of those injuries in Caulfield Repatriation Hospital two days later.

Probable cause:

Pilot error.

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

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1929

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

A7-21

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Laverton AFB - Laverton AFB

MSN:

602

YOM:

1928

Location:

Laverton AFB (Melbourne)

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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 Wangaratta: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1929

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

A7-19

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wangaratta – Laverton

MSN:

600

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Operator:

Registration:

A7-12

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Richmond - Richmond

MSN:

551

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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:

Operator:

Registration:

A7-20

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

601

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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.60X Moth in Cornwallis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1929

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

A7-8

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Richmond - Richmond

MSN:

541

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

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.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Mittagong

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1928

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

A7-15

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Richmond - Richmond

MSN:

596

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in bad weather conditions, the aircraft hit a hill near Mittagong and was destroyed by a post impact fire. Both occupants were injured.

Crash of an Avro 504K in Point Cook

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1928

Type of aircraft:

Avro 504

Operator:

Registration:

A3-35

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Point Cook - Point Cook

MSN:

H9834

YOM:

1920

Location:

Point Cook (Melbourne)

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot H. O. Woodhouse was performing a training flight when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near the Point Cook airbase. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Avro 504K in Point Cook

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1928

Type of aircraft:

Avro 504

Operator:

Registration:

A3-30

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Point Cook - Point Cook

MSN:

E3745

YOM:

1918

Location:

Point Cook (Melbourne)

Country:

Region: