Australian National Airways - ANA

Douglas DC-4

After landing, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties to stop and overran. The airplane hit a drain, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was heavily damaged. It was later considered as damaged beyond economical repair.

Douglas DC-4

The four engine aircraft christened 'Amana' left Perth Airport runway 29 at 2150LT on a regular schedule service to Melbourne via Adelaide. Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered technical problems with the engine number four that must be shut down. Later, few other problems occurred on the three remaining engines, and in such situation, the captain decided to return to Perth for a safe landing. During the last turn completed by night and at low height, the aircraft hit trees and crashed in a wooded area located 19 km northwest of York. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. A passenger was seriously injured while 28 other occupants were killed. Six days later, the only survivor died from his terrible injuries.

Douglas DC-3

The crew (two pilots and one stewardess) was positioning from Launceston to Melbourne. On approach to Essendon, poor weather conditions forced ATC to close the airport to all trafic and VH-UZJ was diverted to Mangalore Airport. On approach, the aircraft was too low, crashed in a field and broke in two. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft christened 'Kurana' left Melbourne-Essendon at 0726LT bound for Deniliquin. Fourteen minutes later, the crew encountered low visibility due to clouds. At an altitude of 3,000 feet, the crew increased power on both engines to gain height but the aircraft hit trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. All 19 passengers and the stewardess were injured while all three crew members were killed as the cockpit was destroyed.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

While cruising in low visibility due to marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of Square Peak (4,600 feet) located in the region of Quirindi. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 13 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was off course by 100 miles.

Douglas DC-3

Two minutes after takeoff from Hobart-Cambridge Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control, nosed down and crashed in the Derwent estuary, near the Seven Mile Beach. The aircraft was destroyed and no survivor was found among the 25 occupants.

Douglas C-49 (DC-3)

The approach to Tacloban was performed in poor weather conditions. The aircraft landed hard and after touchdown, the captain decided to go around, increased power on both engines, pull up the control column and attempted a go around. The aircraft climbed to a height of 200 feet, passed few meters from the control tower, continued over the sea and eventually crashed into the sea about a mile offshore. Rescue teams arrived on the scene about five hours later and a passenger was rescued while 16 other occupants were killed.

Stinson Model A

Enroute, the outer port wing broke off. The three engine aircraft christened 'Tokana' dove into the ground and crashed near Redesdale, killing all 10 occupants. Crew: Alan Murn, pilot, Orville Openshaw, copilot.

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Crashed on landing at Brisbane-Archerfield Airport. No casualties. This was the third landing accident with this aircraft at Archerfield in three months. The previous time, on February 23, the aircraft made a belly landing as well.

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

En route, crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. Aircraft ended up on a beach located 13 miles south of Cape Sidmouth, near the Princess Charlotte Bay. The crew of a RAAF Catalina spotted the aircraft a day later and was able to land and to evacuate all six occupants uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.