Country
Australia
code

Victoria

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson II near Bairnsdale: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1942 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-89
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bairnsdale - Bairnsdale
MSN:
414-1943
YOM:
1940
Location:
Bairnsdale
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight out from Bairnsdale. While in the approach circuit at a height of 2,000 feet, the twin engine airplane pitch down to 35°, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 11 km southeast of the airport, bursting into flames. Both crew members were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
P/O A. G. Gray,
Ac1 D. M. O'Loughlin.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I near Sale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1942 at 2005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-39
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bairnsdale - Bairnsdale
MSN:
414-1890
YOM:
1940
Location:
Sale
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total hours on type:
102.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Bairnsdale Airfield in the afternoon with two others RAAF Lockheed Hudson on a reconnaissance mission. At 1614LT, ground instructed all crew to return to airbase due to the deterioration of the weather conditions. For undetermined reasons, the crew of A16-39 followed another route. Both other Hudson landed without further incident while A16-39 crashed 500 yards from a private house located in Longpoint, near Sale. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (7th Squadron):
S/L James W. McGilvray, pilot,
Sgt M. J. Gawith, observer,
Sgt F. R. Walton, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt E. W. Bayley, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
The right engine failed in flight due to unknown mechanical problems.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I on Mt Torbreck: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1940 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
A4-4
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Point Cook – Pearce – Camden
MSN:
970
YOM:
1936
Flight number:
8BNA
Location:
Eildon
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAAF Point Cook at 1145LT on a flight to Camden with an intermediate stop at RAAF Pearce. While flying south of Eildon in foggy conditions, the pilot failed to realize that his altitude was insufficient. The twin engine aircraft impacted the slope of Mt Torbreck located northeast of Melbourne and was destroyed by impact forces. All rescue operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft was found. Eventually, the wreckage was located on 24 January 1941, no more than 200 feet below the summit. All four occupants were killed.
Crew (14th Squadron):
F/O Anthony Ashby Daniel,
Cpl Ivan Lapen Stowdor,
Cpl Francis Ettiene Hyland,
Cpl Herman Fred Sass.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Point Cook: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1939 at 1135 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
A7-62
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Point Cook - Point Cook
MSN:
1355
YOM:
1929
Location:
Point Cook (Melbourne)
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Point Cook Airbase, while climbing, a wing failed. The aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 3 km from the airport. Both pilots were killed.
Crew (1st FTS):
F/O R. T. Vincent,
P/O J. R. Whitford.
Probable cause:
Structure failure on a wing.

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

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1939
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UHS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Melbourne - Melbourne
MSN:
880
YOM:
1929
Location:
Melbourne-Essendon
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
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 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:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Melbourne - Melbourne
MSN:
1407
YOM:
1930
Location:
Melbourne-Essendon
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 an Avro 652 Anson I off Elwood: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
A4-11
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Laverton - Laverton
MSN:
977
YOM:
1936
Location:
Melbourne
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight following recent modification on the communication systems. While returning to his base at Laverton, the crew encountered poor visibility due to fog and reduced his altitude to maintain a visual contact with the ground when the aircraft impacted the water surface and crashed into the Port Phillip Bay off Elwood, south of Melbourne. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Ronald Davies,
Cpl Gordon Peake,
AC1 John Quinn.
Probable cause:
Too low approach in foggy conditions.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Point Cook: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1938
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
A7-68
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Point Cook - Point Cook
MSN:
1361
YOM:
1929
Location:
Point Cook (Melbourne)
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a local training at Point Cook Airport. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. One of the pilot later died from injuries sustained.
Crew:
P/O P. McDonough, instructor pilot, †
J. Costello, student pilot.

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
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Adelaide – Melbourne
MSN:
1566
YOM:
1937
Location:
Mont Dandenong
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
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 an Avro 652 Anson I in Dromana: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1938 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
A4-29
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1024
YOM:
1937
Location:
Dromana
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training exercise. En route, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to low clouds. The twin engine airplane impacted the slope of hilly and wooded terrain and was partially destroyed. Four crew members were killed while a fifth occupant was injured.
Crew:
Sgt John Gillespie, †
P/O Robert Symmonds, †
AC1 Kenneth McKerrow, †
AC1 Robert Mawson, †
AC1 James Glover.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.
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