No fatalities

Go-around accident at Cooktown Airport involving a military transport (A30-13)

Cooktown, AustraliaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 8, 1943, a Douglas DC-2 (registration A30-13) operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF was involved in an aviation accident near Cooktown, Australia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control following a left roll and wing strike during a go-around procedure after an unstable landing. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A military aircraft crashed on the runway edge at Cooktown Airport after rolling left during a go-around procedure following an unstable landing. All ten occupants escaped without injury.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was completing a long-distance flight from Chabua Air Force Base in Dibrugarh, Assam, India. Upon initial touchdown at Cooktown Airport, the aircraft veered to the left. In response, the pilot immediately increased engine power and initiated a go-around procedure.

However, at a height of approximately 10 feet above the ground, the airplane rolled further to the left. This maneuver caused the left wing to strike the runway surface. The impact resulted in a loss of control, leading the aircraft to crash onto the edge of the runway. Although the airframe was damaged beyond repair, all 10 occupants escaped the wreckage unhurt.

Findings

The accident was precipitated by an unstable landing that required an immediate go-around. The critical failure occurred during this recovery phase when the aircraft rolled left at low altitude, resulting in a wing strike and subsequent loss of control.

Probable cause

Loss of control following a left roll and wing strike during a go-around procedure after an unstable landing.