Charleville – Brisbane

On November 6, 1942 at 12:00 AM, Charleville – Brisbane experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-5, operated by Allied Directorate of Air Transport, with the event recorded near Lurnea Queensland.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was flight at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

22 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 22 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 20, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft left Charleville Airport bound for Brisbane with 20 US soldiers and two crew on board. While cruising at a height of 6,000 feet, one of the engine failed. The crew was able to feather the propeller but could not maintain a safe altitude. The captain decided to divert to the Lurnea Siding Airstrip located some 30 miles east of Charleville to attempt an emergency landing. After touchdown, at a speed of 70 mph, the aircraft hit a anthill. An undercarriage was pushed through a wing and the aircraft came to rest. While all 22 occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-CXB, MSN 424, year of manufacture 1940.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -27.3892°, 153.0405°.