Crash of a Tugan LJW7 Gannet in Cordeaux Dam: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1936 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tugan LJW7 Gannet
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UUZ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Young - Sydney
MSN:
TA-52
YOM:
1935
Location:
Cordeaux Dam
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane was flown to Young to pick up four passengers after the Codock airplane that were supposed to fly them from Leeton to Sydney was grounded at Young Airport due to technical problems. En route to Sydney, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds. While flying low in limited visibility, the airplane impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Cordeaux Dam, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Crew:
y Edwin Jack Small.
Passengers:
A. V. Sinfield,
C. H. Turner,
F. J. Eagle,
Oliver King.
Probable cause:
The Air Accidents Investigation Committee released their findings in early March, and they determined that it was an error of judgement of the pilot in trying to traverse hilly country in low cloud and at night. The reports of engine problems seem to have been discounted.

Crash of a Miles M.3B Falcon Major in Wellington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1936 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Miles M.3B Falcon Major
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AEI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Hamilton – Wellington
MSN:
247
YOM:
1935
Location:
Wellington
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On approach to Wellington Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to rain and low ceiling down to 100 metres. On final, the airplane collided with the mast of an anemometric station, causing the right wing to be torn off. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed. The passenger escaped uninjured while the pilot was killed.
Crew:
Malcolm McGregor, pilot. †
Passenger:
Charles William Feilden Hamilton.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.50A off Caloundra

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.50
Operator:
Rockhampton Aerial Services
Registration:
VH-UER
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
116
YOM:
1924
Location:
Caloundra
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft was performing an ambulance flight out from Rockhampton. While flying along the shore with one patient, one doctor and a crew of two on board, the aircraft encountered unknown technical problems, forcing the pilot to ditch the aircraft offshore. All four occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was later destroyed by swell.

Crash of an Avro 618 Ten in Newcastle

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Avro 618 Ten
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UMH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
229
YOM:
1929
Location:
Williamtown (Newcastle)
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Williamstown Airport (Newcastle), an undercarriage failed. The aircraft named 'City of Grafton' went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All eight occupants evacuated safely and the three engine aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage failure upon landing.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth in Salamaua

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UJC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
333
YOM:
1929
Location:
Salamaua
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. The pilot was injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Cargo shifted after take off because it was not properly secured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.86 off Whitemark: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1935 at 0955 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.86 Express
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URT
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Sydney – Melbourne – Whitemark – Launceston – Hobart
MSN:
2312
YOM:
1935
Location:
Whitemark (Flinders Island)
Tasmania
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane was approaching Whitemark Airport (Flinders Island) when it crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea, some 3 km offshore. The aircraft named Loina was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Norman Evans, pilot,
Maxwell Brown, copilot,
Edward Best, flight engineer.
Passengers:
G. S. Anderson,
G. Garlick.
Probable cause:
It was determined that VH-URT had gone into an uncontrollable spin, and three possible precipitating factors were: a loss of control after a power plant failure, the fouling of the tail surfaces while the trailing aerial was being reeled in or a structural failure. There was also evidence of a small fire in the rear of its cabin, which may have occurred before the crash, but this probably did not factor in the accident. And in view of two fatal accidents and other difficulties with the type, Australia would subsequently suspend the certificate of airworthiness of the De Havilland 86.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Black Cat Creek: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URO
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
6068
YOM:
1934
Location:
Black Cat Creek
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane was performing a cargo flight from Salamaua to Wau, carrying one pilot and supplies to the Black Cat mining area. While approaching Wau, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot Colin Ferguson, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a General Aircraft ST-12 Monospar near Woodgreen Station

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1935
Type of aircraft:
General Aircraft ST-12 Monospar
Operator:
Australian Transcontinental Airways - ATA
Registration:
VH-UTZ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Daly Waters – Tennant Creek – Alice Springs
MSN:
42
YOM:
1935
Location:
Woodgreen Station
Northern Territory
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was being used to ferry the passengers from VH-UXX 'Faith in Australia' which had suffered engine failure near Daly Waters when the Monospar had an engine failure itself. It was en route from Daly Waters to Alice Springs with two passengers on board, two crew members and a crocodile that was destined for the Melbourne Zoo. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a uninhabited area located near Woodgreen Station, Northern Australia. Upon landing, the aircraft slid for several yards and hit trees before coming to rest. The engineer walked some 30 miles to the overland telegraph line to find help. All passengers were eventually rescued and they survived as they ate the crocodile.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth in Wau

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1935
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UQJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salamaua – Wau
MSN:
331
YOM:
1932
Location:
Wau
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A gear failed upon landing at Wau Airport. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was performing an inaugural flight from Salamaua, carrying mail.
Probable cause:
Gear failure upon landing.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth near Wakarara: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1935 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Hamish F. Armstrong
Registration:
ZK-ABM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Akitio - Hastings
MSN:
1127
YOM:
1930
Location:
Wakarara
Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot and owner Hamish F. Armstrong was performing a flight from his farm in Akitio to Hastings. En route, he encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility, and the aircraft diverted from the prescribed flight path to the northwest. While cruising, the single engine aircraft impacted a hillside in the forest of Ruahine, near Wakarara. The wreckage was found two weeks later at an altitude of 1,200 metres, some 30 metres below the summit. No trace of the pilot was ever found. Injured, he probably walked away to find help but he did not have the appropriate clothes against the low temperature and did not have any food as well.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain following a navigation error in poor weather conditions.
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