Adelaide – Melbourne
Flight / Schedule
Adelaide – Melbourne
Aircraft
Douglas DC-2Registration
VH-UYC
MSN
1566
Year of Manufacture
1937
Operator
Australian National Airways - ANADate
October 25, 1938 at 01:45 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Melbourne Victoria
Region
Oceania • Australia
Coordinates
-37.7545°, 144.9807°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On October 25, 1938 at 01:45 PM, Adelaide – Melbourne experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-2, operated by Australian National Airways - ANA, with the event recorded near Melbourne Victoria.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a mountains crash site.
18 people were known to be on board, 18 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 14, passenger fatalities: 14, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. On approach to Melbourne, the crew lost his orientation and was unable to locate the airport of Essendon. The pilot continued the descent and the aircraft christened 'Kyeema' went through a thick cloud layer when it hit the Mt Dandenong located some 45 km east of Essendon Airport. All 18 occupants were killed. instantly and the aircraft was completely wrecked. Crew: A. C. Webb, pilot, A. J. Steen, copilot, Phillip Pring, pilot, acting as radio operator, Elva Jones, stewardess,
Aircraft reference details include registration VH-UYC, MSN 1566, year of manufacture 1937.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -37.7545°, 144.9807°.
Fatalities
Total
18
Crew
4
Passengers
14
Other
0
Crash Summary
On approach to Melbourne, the crew lost his orientation and was unable to locate the airport of Essendon. The pilot continued the descent and the aircraft christened 'Kyeema' went through a thick cloud layer when it hit the Mt Dandenong located some 45 km east of Essendon Airport. All 18 occupants were killed. instantly and the aircraft was completely wrecked. Crew: A. C. Webb, pilot, A. J. Steen, copilot, Phillip Pring, pilot, acting as radio operator, Elva Jones, stewardess,
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
14
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 18
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Adelaide – Melbourne
Operator
Australian National Airways - ANAFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Mountains
Region / Country
Oceania • Australia
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.