Australian National Airways - ANA

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Melbourne – Sydney – Brisbane

MSN:

2030

YOM:

1938

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Country:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after take off from Melbourne-Essendon Airport, the crew encountered technical problems with the engines. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the captain decided to make an emergency landing and completed a gear-up landing 7 km north of the airport. The aircraft skidded for several yards before coming to rest and was damaged beyond repair. All 15 occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was christened 'Warana'.

Probable cause:

Engine failure caused by carburetor problems.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Townsville

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

Registration:

VH-CAJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Landing (descent or approach)

MSN:

18-2128

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

During the take off run, a landing gear failed. The twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While nobody was hurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Landing gear failure.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Dobodura

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

Registration:

VH-CAH

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

MSN:

2125

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

On final approach to Dobodura Airport, the twin engine aircraft was hit by enemy fire while the airfield was bombed. The aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. While there was no casualties, the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide into the Bass Strait: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UXZ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Melbourne - Flinders Island

MSN:

6365

YOM:

1937

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Circumstances:

The aircraft christened 'Marika' was performing a schedule flight from Melbourne to the Flinders Island. En route, while cruising over the Bass Strait, an engine failed. The pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea and was lost. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the occupant was found. An engine was eventually found fifty years later.

Probable cause:

Engine failure may be caused by fuel starvation.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Melbourne

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1939

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UNP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Melbourne - Melbourne

MSN:

1407

YOM:

1930

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Circumstances:

The single engine aircraft, owned by Australian National Airways, was piloted by Gertrude McKenzie who was taking boys from the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage for joy flights. While preparing for take off, the aircraft collided with another De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth. Registered VH-UHS, it was owned by the Royal Victorian Aero Club and piloted by Florence Wurts who was also taking boys from the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage for joy flights. Both aircraft suffered an extensive fire and were destroyed. While both occupants of VH-UNP were slightly injured, the pilot of VH-UHS, Miss Florence Wurts was killed and the young passenger was injured.

Probable cause:

The exact causes and circumstances of the collision remain unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-210 in Mont Dandenong: 18 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1938 at 1345 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-2

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UYC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Adelaide – Melbourne

MSN:

1566

YOM:

1937

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Circumstances:

While descending to Melbourne, the crew lost his orientation and was unable to locate the airport of Essendon. The pilot continued the descent and the aircraft named 'Kyeema' went through a thick layer of cloud when it impacted trees and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located in Mont Dandenong, some 40 km east of Essendon Airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 18 occupants were killed.
Crew:
A. C. Webb, pilot,
A. J. Steen, copilot,
Phillip Pring, pilot, acting as radio operator,
Elva Jones, stewardess,

Probable cause:

The following deficiencies were identified as contributing to the accident:
1) The aircraft’s navigational log was either not kept or had not been properly utilized during the latter part of the flight, as required by the carrier;
2) The company’s procedure for descent through an overcast into this airport was not adopted, and
3) A request for a bearing from the aircraft was not received by the radio operator at the airport nor logged at any other operating station. Also noted in the investigative report was the lack in Australia of an ultra-high frequency (UHF) beacon network, and indeed, the crash of VH-UYC would prove pivotal in the development of the nation’s airway system.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth in Somerton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UNU

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Melbourne - Melbourne

MSN:

1444

YOM:

1930

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Circumstances:

The pilot was performing a local solo training flight out from Melbourne-Essendon Airport. While making sharp turns exercises, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed in Somerton, 10 km northeast of Essendon Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Malvern

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1937 at 1840 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VH-ULH

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Benalla – Melbourne

MSN:

Genairco 7

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was being flown by Jack Macalister who was attempting a night landing at Essendon Airport, Melbourne. Due to heavy fog, he flew over the city looking for an alternate landing ground. Attempting to land at the Malvern Oval, he struck the spire of St. George's Anglican church and crashed. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Avro 618 Ten in Alor Setar

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Avro 618 Ten

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UNA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site: