Perth – Kalgoorlie
Flight / Schedule
Perth – Kalgoorlie
Aircraft
De Havilland DH.104 DoveRegistration
VH-AQO
MSN
04002
Year of Manufacture
1946
Operator
Airlines WADate
October 15, 1951 at 03:20 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Kalgoorlie Western Australia
Region
Oceania • Australia
Coordinates
-30.7462°, 121.4724°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On October 15, 1951 at 03:20 PM, Perth – Kalgoorlie experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.104 Dove, operated by Airlines WA, with the event recorded near Kalgoorlie Western Australia.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley crash site.
7 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. While descending to Kalgoorlie, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie located about 22 km west of Kalgoorlie, in the Kurrawang Natural Reserve. All seven occupants were killed, among them Captain Charles M. Hood and hostess/radio operator Dorothy Reilly.
Aircraft reference details include registration VH-AQO, MSN 04002, year of manufacture 1946.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -30.7462°, 121.4724°.
Fatalities
Total
7
Crew
2
Passengers
5
Other
0
Crash Summary
While descending to Kalgoorlie, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie located about 22 km west of Kalgoorlie, in the Kurrawang Natural Reserve. All seven occupants were killed, among them Captain Charles M. Hood and hostess/radio operator Dorothy Reilly.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
5
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 7
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Perth – Kalgoorlie
Operator
Airlines WAFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
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.
