1 fatality

Fatal low-altitude collision with power lines near Camooweal (VH-UVA)

Camooweal, AustraliaFlight

On May 1, 1946, a Percival D.3 Gull Six (registration VH-UVA) operated by Connellan Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Camooweal, Australia in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck electrical wires while flying at an unexplained low altitude over Camooweal, causing a wing separation and subsequent crash. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 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 single-engine aircraft crashed into the city of Camooweal after striking electrical wires at a very low altitude. The pilot was killed in the impact and subsequent fire, while no ground casualties were reported.

What happened

The incident occurred when the aircraft was flying over the urban area of Camooweal at an exceptionally low altitude. During this pass, the airframe made contact with overhead electrical wires. The collision severed a wing structure, leading to a loss of control and a crash into the city streets. The impact forces destroyed the aircraft, which subsequently caught fire. While the structural damage was total, no individuals on the ground sustained injuries during the event.

Findings

The investigation noted that the specific reason for the pilot's decision to fly at such a low height over the populated area remained unknown. The primary mechanical failure initiating the accident sequence was the contact with the electrical infrastructure, which compromised the aircraft's integrity and led directly to the fatal crash.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck electrical wires while flying at an unexplained low altitude over Camooweal, causing a wing separation and subsequent crash.