Oceania | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While taxiing in the harbor of Port Vila, ready for takeoff, the pilot in command was apparently forced to make an evasive maneuver due to the presence of canoe's crossing his path. Doing so, the seaplane hit coral that punctured the bottom of the fuselage, causing water to penetrate into the aircraft that sank on its nose and was partially submerged. All occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.
Photos via http://www.aussieairliners.org/

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Kerowagi

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1951

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Operator:

Registration:

VH-BDB

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Kerowagi – Wau

MSN:

2063

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft failed to gain height after takeoff and crashed. Three occupants, among them the pilot, were seriously injured. The aircraft was written off. Investigators found that the aircraft was overloaded by at least 18 kilograms and had 8 passengers and 2 crew, when only certificated to carry 6 passengers. Only 4 seat belts were fitted and no passengers were wearing seat belts. Unsecured freight was carried behind the passengers, moving forward on impact and hitting the passengers. The pilot had not completed a load sheet or calculated the centre of gravity. The tailwind on takeoff exceeded the maximum allowable for Kerowagi Airfield.

Probable cause:

The aircraft failed to become airborne when taking off from an airstrip at high density altitude due to incorrect technique on the part of the pilot in that he failed to adjust the mixture controls to obtain maximum engine power.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK in Camden

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

VH-CAQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

12285

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Performing a flight on behalf of the Australian Civil Aviation Authority, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The aircraft crash landed in a field located in Camden and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson I in Jervis Bay

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

South Coast Airways - SCA

Registration:

VH-AJP

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Jervis Bay – Wollongong

MSN:

DG750

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. Both crew members who were performing a cargo flight to Wollongong were injured. The aircraft was reduced to spares.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon I in Slate Creek

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1951

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Operator:

Registration:

VH-AAC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

6025

YOM:

1933

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route, the pilot Tom Lumme was forced to make an emergency landing near Slate Creek for unknown reason. All six occupants were unhurt and rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Consolidated PB2B-1 Catalina off Apia: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

NZ4048

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

60959

YOM:

1944

Location:

Apia-Faleolo

All Samoa Islands

Country:

Samoa Islands (Western Samoa)

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Apia-Faleolo, the aircraft crashed into the sea. A crew member was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed. The seaplane was on its way back to New Zealand.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I into the Tuggerah Lake

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

VH-AYE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Toowoomba, the aircraft suffered an engine failure while approaching Central Coast, NSW. The pilot attempted an emergency landing into the Teggurah Lake. The aircraft came to rest in shallow water and was considered as damaged beyond repair. The pilot was unhurt. The aircraft was owned by T. M. S. Hall.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson in Pozieres

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

VH-BKL

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Brisbane – Glen Innes – Armidale

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft crashed at Zanatta's property located near Pozieres, in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland. The plane was en route from Eagle Farm Airport (Brisbane) to Armidale Airport via Glen Innes when one engine caught fire in flight, filling the cockpit with smoke. The airplane crashed on its belly and suffered considerable damage although the pilot and three passengers were uninjured.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK off Hobsonville

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

NZ3549

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Whenuapai - Whenuapai

MSN:

16734/33482

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing single engine approaches and landings at RNZAF Whenuapai. On approach, the second engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the bay off Hobsonville. All three crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.