VH-SMK
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| Type: | L-414-08 Hudson Mk IVA |
| MSN: | 6043 |
| Previous Identities: | 41-23184 A16-114 |
| 05DEC41 | Received 2 AD ex USA. |
| 24DEC41 | Tested at 2 AD. |
| 31JAN42 | Received 1 AD ex 2 AD. |
| 09FEB42 | Received 7 Sqn ex 1 AD. |
| 24MAR42 | Received 1 AD ex 7 Sqn. |
| 06APR42 | Received 7 Sqn. |
| 10JUN42 | Struck birds in flight. Starboard wing leading edge damaged. |
| 29JUN42 | Received 1 OTU. |
| 12DEC42 | Damaged at Archerfield in collision with Lodestar VH-CAJ. Port tailplane cut off, fin and rudder damaged. Port wing cut through to engine nacelle near aileron. Turret gun damaged. |
| 15JAN43 | Received 3 AD for completion of repairs. |
| 20MAR43 | Received 1 OTU ex 3 AD. |
| 03AUG44 | Received 1 CU ex 7 AD having been fitted with passenger seats for use by the Air Board. |
| 26AUG43 | Crashed on taxyway at Coomalie. |
| 12JAN45 | Received 1 CU after repairs by 4 RSU and 7 AD. |
| 04APR45 | Received 2 AD ex 1 CU for fitment for use by 1 OTU. Seats to be removed for fitment to A67-7. |
| 18SEP45 | Received 1 OTU ex 2 AD |
| 03DEC45 | To be used for Bush Fire Patrol by 1 OTU until 31MAR46 then to proceed to 2 AD for storage. |
| 29MAR46 | Received 2 AD, Richmond for storage. |
| 31MAR47 | Sold to Herald Flying Services for £1,101. |
| 28APR47 | John Fairfax and Son request DCA to reserve registrations VH-SMJ and VH-SMK for two Hudsons |
| 29APR47 | Issued to purchaser. |
| 02FEB48 | Registration application from John Fairfax and Son. |
| 28MAY48 | Added to Register as VH-SMK. |
| 01JAN50 | Crashed
on take-off at Camden at approximately 0057 hours. Immediately after
take-off, from a height of approximately 150 feet, the aircraft apparently
stalled and dived into the ground. The only two occupants, Captain
Richard Eric Cruickshanks and First Officer Robert Bruce Purvis (Harry
Purvis' nephew) were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by impact
and fire. The aircraft was loaded with 3178 lbs of newspapers all
of which were destined for Dubbo. It was estimated by investigators
that the take-off weight was between 213 lbs and 594 lbs in excess
of the maximum permissible but this was not considered a contributory
cause. The investigation revealed that although Cruickshanks was competent
to fly the Hudson he "did not possess any form of valid pilot licence"!
A licence which had been produced to Harry Purvis and to DCA examiners
was apparently not genuine. Although the load had been correctly distributed
it was not adequately restrained. The cause of the accident was found
to be "loss of control of the aircraft for reasons undetermined".
It was also found that: "The starboard engine probably failed prior
to impact and such failure, if it did occur, would be a possible contributory
cause of the loss of control". (Source: Accident Report issued 04JUN50) |
| 17FEB50 | Struck off Register. |
| Issue | Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 10JAN16 |
Added
an image of the wreckage. Thanks to
Graeme Parsons.
|
| 3 | 08MAY02 |
Added
more detail from the DCA accident report.
|
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