Townsville - Townsville
Flight / Schedule
Townsville - Townsville
Aircraft
Short S.23 Empire Flying BoatRegistration
A18-12
MSN
S.849
Year of Manufacture
1938
Operator
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAFDate
February 27, 1942 at 06:02 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Test
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Townsville Queensland
Region
Oceania • Australia
Coordinates
-19.3201°, 146.7237°
Narrative Report
On February 27, 1942 at 06:02 PM, Townsville - Townsville experienced a crash involving Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat, operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, with the event recorded near Townsville Queensland.
The flight was categorized as test and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
11 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 54.5%.
Crew on board: 11, crew fatalities: 6, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The crew was involved in an 50 hours inspection flight. While approaching Townsville, the seaplane christened 'Coogee' hit the water surface and crashed in the Cleveland Bay. Six crew members were killed while all five other occupants were injured. Crew killed: F/O Robert John Love, pilot, † P/O Harold John Wagner, pilot, † LAC Maurice Clayton, † Cpl William James French, † P/O Peter Satterswaite Devonshire, † Sgt John Gordon Nicholson. †
Aircraft reference details include registration A18-12, MSN S.849, year of manufacture 1938.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -19.3201°, 146.7237°.
Fatalities
Total
6
Crew
6
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew was involved in an 50 hours inspection flight. While approaching Townsville, the seaplane christened 'Coogee' hit the water surface and crashed in the Cleveland Bay. Six crew members were killed while all five other occupants were injured. Crew killed: F/O Robert John Love, pilot, † P/O Harold John Wagner, pilot, † LAC Maurice Clayton, † Cpl William James French, † P/O Peter Satterswaite Devonshire, † Sgt John Gordon Nicholson. †
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
11
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
5
Fatality Rate
54.5%
Known people on board: 11
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Townsville - Townsville
Operator
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAFFlight Type
Test
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
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.