Douglas DC-2 accident at Mont Dandenong, Australia, 25 Oct 1938 (VH-UYC)
On October 25, 1938, a Douglas DC-2 (registration VH-UYC) operated by Australian National Airways - ANA was involved in an aviation accident near Mont Dandenong, Australia in flight. 18 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The following deficiencies were identified as contributing to the accident: 1) The aircraft’s navigational log was either not kept or had not been properly utilized during the latter part of the flight, as required by the carrier; 2) The company’s procedure… 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.
Probable cause
The following deficiencies were identified as contributing to the accident: 1) The aircraft’s navigational log was either not kept or had not been properly utilized during the latter part of the flight, as required by the carrier; 2) The company’s procedure for descent through an overcast into this airport was not adopted, and 3) A request for a bearing from the aircraft was not received by the radio operator at the airport nor logged at any other operating station. Also noted in the investigative report was the lack in Australia of an ultra-high frequency (UHF) beacon network, and indeed, the crash of VH-UYC would prove pivotal in the development of the nation’s airway system.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While descending to Melbourne, the crew lost his orientation and was unable to locate the airport of Essendon. The pilot continued the descent and the aircraft named 'Kyeema' went through a thick layer of cloud when it impacted trees and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located in Mont Dandenong, some 40 km east of Essendon Airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 18 occupants were killed. Crew: A. C. Webb, pilot, A. J. Steen, copilot, Phillip Pring, pilot, acting as radio operator, Elva Jones, stewardess,
Probable cause (official findings): The following deficiencies were identified as contributing to the accident: 1) The aircraft’s navigational log was either not kept or had not been properly utilized during the latter part of the flight, as required by the carrier; 2) The company’s procedure for descent through an overcast into this airport was not adopted, and 3) A request for a bearing from the aircraft was not received by the radio operator at the airport nor logged at any other operating station. Also noted in the investigative report was the lack in Australia of an ultra-high frequency (UHF) beacon network, and indeed, the crash of VH-UYC would prove pivotal in the development of the nation’s airway system.