Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Bungulla: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1950
Operator:
Registration:
VH-SMH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
13157
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Camden, carrying newspapers for the Sydney Morning Herald. While cruising at an altitude of 500 feet, the crew encountered low clouds when the aircraft hit a hill and crashed near Bungulla. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to adopt the minimum terrain clearance for flight under Instrument Flight Rules. A contributory factor was that the pilot was cruising at an altitude lower than 500 feet prior to entering clouds.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-3 Skymaster off Roi-Namur: 26 killed

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1950 at 0520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56496
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Honolulu – Roi-Namur – Manille
MSN:
10624
YOM:
1945
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
Three minutes after its takeoff from runway 04 at Roi-Namur-Dyess Airport, while in initial climb by night, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea some 2,5 km off shore. The aircraft sank by few hundred yards and all 26 occupants were killed. Only few debris were found.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident. Nevertheless, investigators pinpointed the following findings:
- The captain was distracted while the first officer was looking for different radio frequencies,
- Apparent failure of some instruments,
- A sudden power loss on two engines on the same side of the plane, #1 & 2 or # 3 & 4,
- Engagement of the autopilot system by a person not entitled to do so, apparently by a person other than the two pilots,
- A lateral loss of control as a result of the malfunction of flaps that have been deployed in an asymmetric position,
- Technical issue on the primary control system,
- A structural failure that probably occurred on the extremity of both wings and on the tail simultaneously.

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman in Goroka

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-BNL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lae – Goroka
MSN:
270
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The day prior to the accident, while on a cargo flight from Lae to Goroka, the pilot Frank J. Goosens was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field located five miles southeast of Goroka due to poor visibility. After he spent the night in the aircraft, he decided to leave the area bound for Goroka when, during the takeoff roll, the left wing hit an earth mound. The aircraft crashed, injuring the pilot.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 near York: 29 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1950 at 2212 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ANA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Perth – Adelaide – Melbourne
MSN:
42910
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
29
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft christened 'Amana' left Perth Airport runway 29 at 2150LT on a regular schedule service to Melbourne via Adelaide. Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered technical problems with the engine number four that must be shut down. Later, few other problems occurred on the three remaining engines, and in such situation, the captain decided to return to Perth for a safe landing. During the last turn completed by night and at low height, the aircraft hit trees and crashed in a wooded area located 19 km northwest of York. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. A passenger was seriously injured while 28 other occupants were killed. Six days later, the only survivor died from his terrible injuries.
Probable cause:
The Inquiry found that the aircraft suffered a total loss of engine power on at least one occasion, followed by rapid loss of height until it struck the ground. However, the evidence did not allow the court to determine the cause of the total loss of engine power. Consequently, the court was unable to determine the cause of the accident.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Georgetown: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1950 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-105
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rathmines – Townsville – Darwin
MSN:
1956
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On the leg from Townsville to Darwin, while cruising 30 km from Georgetown, the flight engineer informed the pilot about a fuel leak on the left engine. The captain decided to divert to Georgetown Airport for an emergency landing but on final, the seaplane was unstable, banking left and right. The pilot increased power on the right engine and attempted a go around when the aircraft banked right, stalled, overturned and crashed in flames in a field located about 5 km from the airport. Five crew members were killed instantly while two others were seriously injured. One of the survivors died from his injuries few hours later.
Crew:
F/Lt David Northey, pilot, †
John Gilbert Humprey Alexander, pilot, †
Leo Maurice Sattler, pilot, †
Alexander John Brown, navigator, †
Frank Slater, flight engineer,
Maurice Henry Wood, flight engineer, †
William Bedford, wireless operator. †
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine caused by a fuel leak.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414-08 Hudson IVA in Lae: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-BDN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
MSN:
6044
YOM:
1941
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew consisting of two mechanics and one pilot (Captain Gibson-Lee) were involved in a local test flight. Shortly after takeoff, the left engine failed and the pilot elected to return for a safe landing, but unfortunately, the runway was busy with a DC-3. The pilot was forced to make a go around, overflew the runway but was unable to gain sufficient height. At the end of the runway, the aircraft hit telephone wires and crashed in flames onto a house, killing a young honeymooning couple. The aircraft christened 'Petunia' was destroyed by fire, both mechanics were unhurt while the captain was seriously injured. He died from third degree burns ten days later.
Source & photo:
http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/hudson/vh-bdn.htm
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of an Avro 694 Lincoln 30A near Amberley AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A73-44
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Amberley - Amberley
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Amberley AFB, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 8 miles south of Rosewood. All four crew members were killed. Apparently, the loss of control occurred when a parachute release box apparently jammed the control column.

Crash of a Consolidated PB2B-1 Catalina off Wellington

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4051
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
60958
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Sank during takeoff into the Evans Bay in Wellington when seawater flooded aircraft. There were no casualties.

Ground fire of a De Havilland DH.89B Dominie inn Rotorua

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1950
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-ALC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rotorua – Hamilton
MSN:
6664
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was parked at Rotorua Airport and ready for its schedule flight to Hamilton Airport (Rukuhia). During engine start up, a fire erupted from the left engine and the fire spread to the dry grass. The aircraft caught fire and all five occupants were able to vacate the cabin before the aircraft would be completely destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine fire during start up.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414-08 Hudson IVA in Camden: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1950 at 0057 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-SMK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Camden – Dubbo
MSN:
414-6043
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 150 feet, the aircraft nosed down first, dove into the ground and crashed in flames in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Richard Cruicksbanks, pilot,
Robert Bruce Purvis, copilot.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it was stated that the total weight of the aircraft was above MTOW by 150 to 300 kilos at the time of the accident and that the right engine was not running at impact. These two facts were not considered as contributory factors. Despite the fact that the pilot was able to fly this kind of aircraft, he was not in possession of a valid license at the time of the accident.