Richmond - Richmond

On December 20, 1944 at 04:35 PM, Richmond - Richmond experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-414 Hudson, operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, with the event recorded near Richmond AFB New South Wales.

The flight was categorized as test and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

8 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. During the day, technical anomalies were noted on the engines and the captain decided to perform a test flight. The twin engine aircraft left Richmond Airfield at 1620LT. Ten minutes into the flight, the captain informed ground about technical problems and elected to return to the airport. On final approach, while at a height of 200-300 feet, the left engine failed. The aircraft banked left, hit power cables and crashed in a huge explosion some 400 yards short of runway threshold. All eight occupants were killed. Crew: F/Lt Ronald William Shore, pilot, F/O John James Broderick, wireless operator and air gunner, LAC Francis Fletcher Smith, ACW Nancy Margaret Ralph, Cpl Robert Henry McIlroy, instrument maker, LAC Joseph Michael Gleeson, Cpl John McLennon Allen, LAC Noel Austin Chamberlain.

Aircraft reference details include registration A16-68, MSN 1921.