No fatalities

Right Engine Failure During Climbout Results in Crash at Melbourne-Moorabbin Airport (VH-BNS)

Melbourne-Moorabbin, AustraliaTakeoff (climb)

On April 3, 1953, an Avro 652 Anson (registration VH-BNS) operated by Adastra Airways - Adastra Aerial Surveys was involved in an aviation accident near Melbourne-Moorabbin, Australia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the right engine just after liftoff. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

After takeoff from Melbourne-Moorabbin Airport, the aircraft suffered a right engine failure at 20 feet, stalled, and crash-landed. Both crew members were uninjured, but the aircraft was destroyed.

Summary

Shortly after departing from Melbourne-Moorabbin Airport, an aircraft experienced a failure of its right engine while climbing through 20 feet. The loss of power caused the aircraft to stall, after which it struck the ground beyond the runway end.

Circumstances

The flight had just taken off when the right engine failed at a low altitude. The aircraft subsequently stalled and impacted the ground past the runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage was torn off, and the aircraft continued through a fence before coming to rest in an adjacent field.

Injuries and Damage

Both crew members aboard escaped without injury. However, the aircraft sustained substantial damage and was deemed beyond economical repair.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the accident was caused by a failure of the right engine immediately after liftoff.