No fatalities

Emergency Landing Near Whitemark Airfield Results in Total Loss (A4-17)

Whitemark (Flinders Island), AustraliaFlight

On December 20, 1939, an Avro 652 Anson (registration A4-17) operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF was involved in an aviation accident near Whitemark (Flinders Island), Australia in flight. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot executed an emergency landing near Whitemark Airfield after encountering an unexpected situation en route. All four occupants survived without injury, but the aircraft was destroyed.

What happened

During a flight phase described as en route, the pilot faced an unforeseen operational challenge that necessitated an immediate response. Unable to continue the planned journey safely, the crew initiated an emergency procedure and brought the aircraft down in the vicinity of Whitemark Airfield.

The landing was successful in terms of personnel safety, as all four individuals on board escaped without sustaining any injuries. However, the impact and subsequent events resulted in severe structural damage to the airframe. The extent of this damage rendered the aircraft beyond repair, leading to its total loss.