Cairns | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Cairns Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed 3 km from the airport. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth off Cairns: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1937 at 1300 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UPQ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Cooktown – Cairns

MSN:

2085

YOM:

1930

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While flying over the Trinity Bay, off Cairns, the single engine aircraft crashed into the sea some 16 km off Cairns. The pilot and a young boy aged 13 were injured while a girl aged 15 was killed. It appears that the aircraft was descending to the sea at a normal rate when it impacted the water surface and crashed.

Probable cause:

No mechanical failure. Investigation concluded that the pilot had fallen asleep and descended gradually into the sea.