Launceston – Melbourne

While overflying Bass Strait, the four engine aircraft named 'Miss Hobart' crashed in unknown circumstances some 16 km off the coast of the Wilsons Promontory National Park. SAR teams found some debris and oil leak at the surface of the water a day later but no trace of the 11 occupants was ever found. Crew: Cpt Victor C. Holyman, pilot and cofounder of the airliner, Cpt Gilbert Jenkins.

Flight / Schedule

Launceston – Melbourne

Registration

VH-URN

MSN

2301

Year of Manufacture

1934

Date

October 19, 1934 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Crash Location

Bass Strait All Australia

Region

Oceania • Australia

Narrative Report

On October 19, 1934 at 12:00 AM, Launceston – Melbourne experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.86 Express, operated by Holyman's Airways, with the event recorded near Bass Strait All Australia.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

11 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 9, passenger fatalities: 9, other fatalities: 0.

While overflying Bass Strait, the four engine aircraft named 'Miss Hobart' crashed in unknown circumstances some 16 km off the coast of the Wilsons Promontory National Park. SAR teams found some debris and oil leak at the surface of the water a day later but no trace of the 11 occupants was ever found. Crew: Cpt Victor C. Holyman, pilot and cofounder of the airliner, Cpt Gilbert Jenkins.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-URN, MSN 2301, year of manufacture 1934.

Fatalities

Total

11

Crew

2

Passengers

9

Other

0

Crash Summary

While overflying Bass Strait, the four engine aircraft named 'Miss Hobart' crashed in unknown circumstances some 16 km off the coast of the Wilsons Promontory National Park. SAR teams found some debris and oil leak at the surface of the water a day later but no trace of the 11 occupants was ever found. Crew: Cpt Victor C. Holyman, pilot and cofounder of the airliner, Cpt Gilbert Jenkins.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

9

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 11

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Launceston – Melbourne

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Region / Country

Oceania • Australia

Aircraft Details

Registration

VH-URN

MSN

2301

Year of Manufacture

1934

Similar Plane Crashes

April 6, 1921 at 12:00 AM2 Fatalities

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Avro 504

The crew was performing a training flight out from Point Cook. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of 500 feet, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed, bursting into flames. One pilot was killed instantly while the second one died few hours later. This was the first accident involving an aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force which was officially founded a week ago on March 31, 1921. Crew: Lt James Fryer-Smith, pilot Cpl Bertie W. Whicker, mechanic.

December 5, 1921 at 12:00 AM2 Fatalities

Western Australia Airways

Bristol Tourer

The crew was performing the inaugural flight from Geraldton to Derby which was considered as the first commercial flight within Australia. On approach to Kalbarri, the aircraft crashed for unknown reasons near the Murchinson River, killing both occupants. Crew: Ted Broad, Bob Fawcett.

January 23, 1923 at 12:00 AM

O. Ramsay

Avro 504

During the takeoff roll, the pilot swerved the airplane to avoid two boys running across the runway. He lost control of the airplane that crashed near the beach. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were injured.

February 25, 1923 at 12:00 AM

Qantas Airways - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services

Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, there were no casualties.

September 13, 1923 at 12:00 AM

Qantas Airways - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services

Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8

En route from Charleville to Longreach, the pilot encountered technical problems and elected to make an emergency landing in Blackall. While the pilot was uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

September 19, 1924 at 12:00 AM

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Avro 504

The pilot was performing a night training flight at Point Cook Airport. On final approach, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed near the airport. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.