Katherine – Darwin
Flight / Schedule
Katherine – Darwin
Aircraft
De Havilland DH.83 Fox MothRegistration
VH-UZS
MSN
DHA5
Year of Manufacture
1937
Operator
Northern Territory Medical ServicesDate
October 10, 1941 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Ambulance
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Katherine Northern Territory
Region
Oceania • Australia
Coordinates
-14.4625°, 132.2583°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On October 10, 1941 at 12:00 AM, Katherine – Darwin experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth, operated by Northern Territory Medical Services, with the event recorded near Katherine Northern Territory.
The flight was categorized as ambulance and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
3 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 33.3%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. Shortly after take off from Katherine Airfield, while on an ambulance flight to Darwin, the pilot encountered engine problems and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames upside down. While the nurse and the pilot were injured, the female patient was killed and the aircraft was destroyed by post crash fire.
Aircraft reference details include registration VH-UZS, MSN DHA5, year of manufacture 1937.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -14.4625°, 132.2583°.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
0
Passengers
1
Other
0
Crash Summary
Shortly after take off from Katherine Airfield, while on an ambulance flight to Darwin, the pilot encountered engine problems and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames upside down. While the nurse and the pilot were injured, the female patient was killed and the aircraft was destroyed by post crash fire.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
2
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
33.3%
Known people on board: 3
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Katherine – Darwin
Operator
Northern Territory Medical ServicesFlight Type
Ambulance
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Oceania • Australia
Aircraft Details
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