On April 27, 1930, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration VH-UJW) operated by Commercial Aviation Company - Australia was involved in an aviation accident near Orroroo, Australia in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of pilot orientation due to reduced visibility in a cloud-covered valley resulted in a collision with hilly terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A pilot was killed when an ambulance flight aircraft struck hilly terrain while navigating a cloud-shrouded valley near Adelaide-Parafield.
What happened
The incident involved a medical transport operation departing from Adelaide-Parafield. During the en-route phase of the flight, the aircraft entered a valley that was obscured by low cloud cover. The pilot subsequently lost spatial orientation while navigating this restricted environment. As a result, the airplane impacted hilly terrain and crashed. The sole occupant on board, the pilot, sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to the collision was the loss of pilot orientation caused by poor visibility within the cloud-shrouded valley. This disorientation led directly to the controlled flight into terrain.
Probable cause
Loss of pilot orientation due to reduced visibility in a cloud-covered valley resulted in a collision with hilly terrain.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 27 Apr 1930 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident near Orroroo, Australia?
A pilot was killed when an ambulance flight aircraft struck hilly terrain while navigating a cloud-shrouded valley near Adelaide-Parafield.
Were there any fatalities in the 27 Apr 1930 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Apr 1930 involved a De Havilland DH.60 Moth, registration VH-UJW, operated by Commercial Aviation Company - Australia, at Orroroo, Australia.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Loss of pilot orientation due to reduced visibility in a cloud-covered valley resulted in a collision with hilly terrain.
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