1 fatality

Solo Training Flight Crash Near Melbourne-Essendon (VH-UNU)

Somerton, AustraliaFlight

On March 8, 1938, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration VH-UNU) operated by Australian National Airways - ANA was involved in an aviation accident near Somerton, Australia in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control during a sharp turn exercise while conducting a solo training flight. 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 solo pilot lost control during a sharp turn exercise near Melbourne-Essendon, resulting in a fatal crash in Somerton.

What happened

The incident occurred while the pilot was conducting a local solo training flight departing from Melbourne-Essendon Airport. During the maneuvering phase of the exercise, specifically while executing sharp turns, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The loss of control led to an immediate crash in the area of Somerton, located approximately 10 km northeast of the departure airport. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and the death of the pilot.

Findings

The sequence of events indicates that the accident was triggered by a loss of control during a specific training maneuver. The sharp turn exercise appears to have been the critical moment where command over the aircraft was compromised, leading directly to the fatal outcome.

Probable cause

Loss of control during a sharp turn exercise while conducting a solo training flight.