Country
Australia
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Queensland

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide off Hinchinbrook Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1953 at 2155 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade
Registration:
VH-CFA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Iron Range – Cairns
MSN:
6713
YOM:
1944
Location:
Hinchinbrook Island
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The Aerial ambulance was called out to Iron Range on Cape York to collect a patient, an aboriginal stockman who had been bitten by a snake. Capt Dick Brampton was one of half a dozen ANA pilots who were rostered to fly the Ambulance plane as needed for the Cairns Ambulance Transport Brigade. On board as well was an ambulance bearer. Capt Dick Brampton took off fairly late from Iron Range, and was confronted by very low thick cloud north of Cairns. The Rapide was only VFR nor IFR and Capt Brampton could not get a fix on Cairns. He was redirected further south. He apparently ran out of fuel north of Hinchinbrook Island and landed the aircraft on the water near Brooke Island. Nearly two hours late on estimated ETA at Townsville that evening, a radio call was heard at 9.48pm “Lost, low fuel”. At 9.55pm another call saying the aircraft was being ditched. Within an hour of the last message, a RAAF Lincoln from Townsville and an ANA DC-3 from Cairns were searching an area near Hinchinbrook Island, 20 miles north of Ingham. The ambulance bearer was uninjured and got out okay, along with Capt Brampton who had some leg injuries. The stockman went down with the plane which did not float for long. Apparently Capt Dick Brampton survived for some time in the water, but was unable to stay afloat due to his injuries. He was not wearing a life jacket. The ambulance bearer was picked up six hours later by a passing coastal freighter. Neither Capt Brampton's body nor any parts of the plane were ever found.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Cheviot Hills: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1953
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VH-URY
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cheviot Hills – Charters Towers
MSN:
6082
YOM:
1934
Location:
Cheviot Hills
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cheviot Hill Aerodrome, while climbing to a height of 50 feet, the aircraft nosed down and crashed. The pilot Captain Martin Garrett and a passegner, Mrs. Kathleen O'Leary were killed. The Doctor Mr. O'Leary was injured while two other passengers, Mrs. King Lethbridge and her child were uninjured. The aircraft was involved in an ambulance flight to Charter Towers on behalf of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the engine failed during initial climb.

Crash of a De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover 2 in Mooraberrie

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1952
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover
Operator:
Registration:
VH-DRD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charleville – Quilpie – Windorah – Waverney – Morney – Mooraberrie – Leigh Creek
MSN:
5010
YOM:
1951
Location:
Mooraberrie
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Mooraberrie, while in initial climb, the centre engine lost power. Shortly later, the port engine also lost power completely and the pilot made a landing off the airfield straight ahead and ran through a fence. The touchdown was heavy and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. All three occupants were unhurt but the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Source & photo: www.goodall.com.au
Probable cause:
Failure of the centre and left engine after takeoff.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide off Cairns: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1951
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade
Registration:
VH-CFA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Vanrook – Cairns
MSN:
6814
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cairns
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was returning to Cairns from am ambulance flight to Vanrook Station bringing a seriously injured stockman to Cairns Base Hospital. The aircraft had no radio navigation aids and the pilot was unable to locate Cairns due to thick smoke from the annual sugar cane burn-off by farmers. When fuel was low, the pilot decided to ditch the aircraft in the sea, about 24 km (15 miles) north of Cairns. They were unable to drag the unconscious patient from the aircraft before the Rapide immediately sank. The three survivors swam to shore and reached a beach after six hours in the water.
Crew:
Cpt Neville Hicks, pilot.
Passengers:
Keith Howard, ambulance officer,
Larry Hansen, friend of the injured man 1.
Source:
http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/dh89/dh89.htm
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Short S.45 Solent 3 off Brisbane

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Short S.45 Solent
Operator:
Registration:
VH-TOC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Brisbane – Port Moresby
MSN:
S.1308
YOM:
1945
Location:
Brisbane
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The takeoff procedure from the Brisbane River was completed by night. After liftoff, while climbing to a height of 5 meters at a speed of 110 knots, the seaplane hit a davit on the stern of a moored dredge, causing the right wing to be cut off for about 6.7 meters in line with the float. The fuselage was also badly damaged in different points. The crew abandon the takeoff and was able to park the airplane on the beach. All four crew members were unhurt but the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Cpt K. H. Goddard,
Cpt P. H. Mathieson,
F/O J. Cole,
F/O R. Bush, flight engineer.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the takeoff procedure was attempted in strong winds and that the crew failed to observe the obstacles in due time.

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:
Stanthorpe
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Georgetown: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1950 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
A24-105
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rathmines – Townsville – Darwin
MSN:
1956
YOM:
1944
Location:
Georgetown
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
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 an Avro 694 Lincoln 30A near Amberley AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Avro 694 Lincoln
Operator:
Registration:
A73-44
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Amberley - Amberley
Location:
Amberley
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
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 Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Coolangatta: 21 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1949 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
VH-BAG
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Coolangatta – Brisbane
MSN:
2194
YOM:
1942
Location:
Coolangatta
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1700
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Coolangatta Airport, while climbing to a height of some 250 feet, the aircraft banked right and then to the left. It went out of control and crashed in flames in a swamp. The aircraft was partially destroyed by a post impact fire and all 21 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the aircraft being loaded so its centre of gravity was behind the rear limit. The report also stated that incorrect setting of the elevator trim tab may have been a contributory cause. The rear limit for the centre of gravity was 39% of Mean Aerodynamic Chord. The load sheet prepared for the fatal flight indicated the centre of gravity of VH-BAG was at 39.2% of Mean Aerodynamic Chord. The load sheet was based on a load chart prepared by the Department of Civil Aviation and based on information supplied by the RAAF. During the investigation, inquiries were made with the US Civil Aeronautics Administration and this revealed an error in the load chart. The main undercarriage of the Lockheed Lodestar retracted to the rear so that retraction caused the centre of gravity to move rearwards but this was not taken into account in the design of the load chart. Other errors also came to light. The passenger seats were 1 inch (25 mm) further apart than shown on the load chart, causing the centre of gravity to be further to the rear than calculated, especially when the aircraft was fully loaded. Up to 18 kilograms (40 lb) of food and beverages for the passengers were stored at the rear of the passenger cabin but were not taken into account on the load chart. Investigation of the accident concluded that after the aircraft's undercarriage retracted, the centre of gravity would have been at about 43.4% of Mean Aerodynamic Chord. With the centre of gravity 4% of MAC behind the rear limit the aircraft would have been tail-heavy and longitudinally unstable. The aircraft had been in daily civil operations in Australia since November 1946 so the investigators assumed there must have been numerous flights with the centre of gravity significantly more than 39% of Mean Aerodynamic Chord. It was necessary for the investigators to find something unique about the fatal flight of VH-BAG that would explain its sudden climb immediately after take-off and the pilot's inability to regain control and prevent the aircraft crashing. The aircraft's tail was one of the few parts of the aircraft not destroyed by fire. The position of the elevator trim tab spool appeared to be in the normal position for landing rather than a typical position for take-off. The investigators concluded that on the final takeoff it was likely that the elevator trim tab was still set for landing. This, coupled with the aircraft being tail-heavy and longitudinally unstable after undercarriage retraction, caused the aircraft to pitch nose-up so strongly that the pilot was unable to retain control or prevent the aircraft stalling. Minister for Civil Aviation Arthur Drakeford made a public announcement that the accident had occurred because the aircraft was tail-heavy and unstable as the result of incorrect loading. The Minister said the operator had not taken adequate steps to ensure safe loading of its aircraft and he hinted that stricter regulation of the loading of aircraft was being considered.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Turnagain Island

Date & Time: May 12, 1948
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AKX
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lae – Daru – Horn Island – Sydney
MSN:
2061
YOM:
1943
Location:
Turnagain Island
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On May 11, the pilot John Spiers left Lae on a ferry flight to Sydney for the annual CofA renewal. On May 12, he departed Daru for Horn Island. Halfway across Torres Strait, he encountered a severe rain storm and turned back to Daru. At low level over sea, the pilot saw a small low mudflat island, so made a forced landing there, wrecking the Dragon. No radio on the aircraft, so Spiers waited to be found. A search was made by a Mandated Airlines C-47 with pilots Brian Carpenter and Tom Deegan as far south as the Australian Gulf country for 3 days. When returning to Daru from Horn Island, they spotted the Dragon on the mudflat island with Spiers sitting on the roof of the aircraft. He had been unable to find food and at high tide the island was mostly under water, so he stayed in the cabin of the Dragon while the sea gradually broke up the aircraft for 6 days without food, surviving by drinking rainwater. RAAF Catalina from Port Moresby landed off Turnagain Island, sent a crew member ashore in a rubber dinghy to collect Spiers. A storm blew up so Catalina returned to Moresby, leaving the two men on the island. They were rescued by a pearling lugger sent from Thursday Island.
Source: http://www.goodall.com.au
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