Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Tantanoola: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 14, 1942 at 2115 LT
Operator:
Registration:
AW849
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Laverton - Laverton
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to RAAF Laverton following a reconnaissance flight off the Australian coast to trace submarines. After the twin engine airplane went out of fuel, the pilot ordered his crew to bail out. He attempted an emergency landing when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field located 13 km west of Tantanoola, bursting into flames. While the pilot was killed, both other crew members parachuted to safety.
Crew (2nd Air Observation School):
F/O Baxter Watson, pilot +2.
Crew (2nd Air Observation School):
F/O Baxter Watson, pilot +2.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion caused by a navigational error on part of the crew.
