Incident
GSA pilot Peter Manser was conducting a downhill takeoff on a sloping strip with a heavy load of sawn timber. Just before the aircraft became airborne, the port engine suddenly lost all power. This power loss caused the aircraft to swing violently to the left and roll towards the Qantas terminal building and freight shed.
Qantas agent Mrs. Ivy Crawford observed the aircraft approaching. She ran through the passenger room out onto the airfield and jumped over an embankment as the aircraft struck the building. The port wing sliced through the wooden structure, collapsing the roof. The Junkers continued rolling onto a road, tearing off its rear fuselage before Manser could bring it to a stop.
Damage
The fuselage was broken into three sections, and 12 feet was smashed off the port wing.
Probable Cause
The official findings stated that the accident was probably caused by a loss of power, for reasons undetermined, at a critical stage of the takeoff.