Sydney-Kingsford Smith | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The single engine airplane departed Sydney-Mascot Airport on a charter service to Ettalong Beach. On approach, it went out of control and crashed into the sea few hundred metres offshore. Both occupants were rescued and the airplane was damaged beyond repair. This was the fifth accident for this airplane since 1926. It was not repaired.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Glenbrook: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

A4-5

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ambulance

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Parkes – Sydney

MSN:

971

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Parkes on an ambulance flight to Sydney-Mascot Airport, carrying one patient, one doctor and three crew members. While overflying Glenbrook at low height, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed at the intersection of two streets, downtown Glenbrook. While no one on the ground was injured, all five occupants were killed.
Crew:
P/O J. I. Newman, pilot,
F/O Henry Theodore Skillman, copilot,
AC1 C. R. Tysoc, wireless operator.
Passengers:
S/L James Manning Rainbow, medical officer,
P/O Bailey Middlebrook Sawyer, patient.

Probable cause:

According to witnesses, it appears the aircraft went out of control following a partial loss of the left wing, maybe due to a structural failure.

Ground fire of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide in Sydney

Date & Time: May 12, 1937

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UVS

Flight Phase:

Parking

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sydney – Brisbane

MSN:

6265

YOM:

1934

Location:

Sydney-Kingsford Smith

New South Wales

Country:

Australia

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

All seven occupants (five passengers and both crew members) were on board and ready for departure on a flight to Brisbane. When the pilot started the engines, one of them exploded and the fire quickly spread to the rest of the structure. All seven occupants were able to evacuate and four were injured, among them the captain. The aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Engine fire at start up.

Crash of an Avro 618 Ten in Sydney

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1936

Type of aircraft:

Avro 618 Ten

Operator:

Transcontinental Airways

Registration:

VH-UMG

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sydney - Sydney

MSN:

230

YOM:

1929

Location:

Sydney-Kingsford Smith

New South Wales

Country:

Australia

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The three engine aircraft was returning to Sydney-Mascot following a sightseeing flight over the city of Sydney. On final approach, the aircraft was caught by strong winds and hit the ground short of runway. All eight occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Caught by strong winds on final approach.

Crash of a Tugan LJW7 Gannet in Cordeaux Dam: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1936 at 1945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Tugan LJW7 Gannet

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UUZ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Young - Sydney

MSN:

TA-52

YOM:

1935

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was flown to Young to pick up four passengers after the Codock airplane that were supposed to fly them from Leeton to Sydney was grounded at Young Airport due to technical problems. En route to Sydney, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds. While flying low in limited visibility, the airplane impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Cordeaux Dam, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Crew:
y Edwin Jack Small.
Passengers:
A. V. Sinfield,
C. H. Turner,
F. J. Eagle,
Oliver King.

Probable cause:

The Air Accidents Investigation Committee released their findings in early March, and they determined that it was an error of judgement of the pilot in trying to traverse hilly country in low cloud and at night. The reports of engine problems seem to have been discounted.

Crash of a Lasco Lascowl in Temora: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Lasco Lascowl

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UGF

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Melbourne – Sydney

MSN:

YOM:

1927

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Melbourne to Sydney, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near Temora, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Crew:
J. A. S. Geddes,
T. W. Rust.

Crash of an Avro 594 Avian III in Millthorpe

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Avro 594 Avian

Operator:

G. V. Forknall

Registration:

VH-UJY

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sydney - Sydney

MSN:

155

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, departed Sydney-Mascot Airport on a local solo flight. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances, injuring the pilot.

Crash of a Junkers A.50 in Manly: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1930

Type of aircraft:

Junkers A.50

Operator:

H. J. Barryman

Registration:

VH-UNO

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sydney - Sydney

MSN:

3507

YOM:

1930

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane named 'Wandouree' departed Sydney-Mascot on a local joyride. En route, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane crashed in Manly. The pilot Henry Goya Henry was seriously injured and lost a leg and the passenger was killed.