Misplaced Pages

List of Qantas fatal accidents: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 16:24, 20 January 2017 edit98.103.76.3 (talk) Improved description of crash← Previous edit Latest revision as of 06:31, 6 April 2024 edit undoGünniX (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users311,006 edits Reverted vandalismTag: Undo 
(38 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|None}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
] ]
While ] has never had a fatal jet ] accident, the ] national airline suffered several losses in its early days before the widespread adoption of the jet engine in civilian aviation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,23199918-5009000,00.html|title=Qantas safety record under threat|last=Creedy|first=Steve|date=2008-02-12|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=2008-05-14}}</ref> These were mainly ] or ] servicing routes in ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=History: Venturing Overseas |publisher=Qantas Airways Limited |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details8 |accessdate=2008-05-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501202337/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details8 |archivedate=2008-05-01 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> The incidents between 1942 and 1944 were during ], when Qantas Empire Airways operated on behalf of the military.<ref name="war">{{cite web|title=History: The World at War |publisher=Qantas Airways Limited |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details10 |accessdate=2008-05-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501202322/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details10 |archivedate=2008-05-01 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> While strictly speaking not accidents, the shootings down of G-AETZ and G-AEUH are included for completeness. In 2014, Qantas was rated the world's safest airline by Airline Ratings.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Geoffrey|first1=Thomas|title=AirlineRatings.com names the top ten safest airlines|url=http://www.airlineratings.com/news/201/qantas-the-safest-airline|website=airlineratings.com |publisher=Airline Ratings|accessdate=6 August 2014}}</ref> While ] has never had a fatal jet ] accident, the ] national airline suffered losses in its early days before the widespread adoption of jets in civilian aviation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,23199918-5009000,00.html |title=Qantas safety record under threat |last=Creedy |first=Steve |date=12 February 2008 |work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214201913/http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0%2C26058%2C23199918-5009000%2C00.html |archivedate=14 February 2008 }}</ref> These were mainly ] or ] servicing routes in ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=History: Venturing Overseas |publisher=Qantas Airways Limited |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details8 |accessdate=14 May 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501202337/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details8 |archivedate=1 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The incidents between 1942 and 1944 were during ], when Qantas Empire Airways operated on behalf of the military.<ref name="war">{{cite web|title=History: The World at War |publisher=Qantas Airways Limited |url=http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details10 |accessdate=14 May 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501202322/http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/history/details10 |archivedate=1 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While strictly speaking not accidents, the shootdowns of G-AETZ and G-AEUH are included for completeness. In 2014 and 2023, Qantas was rated the world's safest airline by Airline Ratings.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Geoffrey|first1=Thomas|title=AirlineRatings.com names the top ten safest airlines|url=http://www.airlineratings.com/news/201/qantas-the-safest-airline|website=airlineratings.com |publisher=Airline Ratings|date=8 January 2014}}</ref>
{{clear}} {{clear}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" {| class="wikitable sortable"
! width="8%" | Date ! width="8%" | Date
! width="15%" class="unsortable" | Location ! width="15%" class="unsortable" | Location
Line 8: Line 12:
! width="8%" | Registration ! width="8%" | Registration
! width="30%" class="unsortable" | Description ! width="30%" class="unsortable" | Description
! width="8%" | Aboard ! width="8%" | Total occupants
! width="8%" | Fatalities ! width="8%" | Fatalities
! width="8%" class="unsortable" | References ! width="8%" class="unsortable" | References
Line 19: Line 23:
| align="center" | 3 | align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 3 | align="center" | 3
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10462/deriv/114375|title=G-AUED Airco aeroplane|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1927/1927-3.htm|title=24 Mar 1927|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref>{{cite book|title=G-AUED Airco aeroplane|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|hdl = 10462/deriv/114375}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1927/1927-3.htm|title=24 Mar 1927|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo|accessdate=13 May 2008}}</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 4 September 1928 | align="center" | 4 September 1928
Line 37: Line 41:
| align="center" | 3 | align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 3 | align="center" | 3
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10462/deriv/134578|title=Atalanta, a De Havilland DH50 biplane VH-UHE, ca. 1930|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref>{{cite book|title=Atalanta, a De Havilland DH50 biplane VH-UHE, ca. 1930|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|hdl = 10462/deriv/134578}}</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 15 November 1934 | align="center" | 15 November 1934
Line 46: Line 50:
| align="center" | 4 | align="center" | 4
| align="center" | 4 | align="center" | 4
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=09641|title=QANTAS DH 86 VH - USG at Darwin airport with crew|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=15096|title=Aeroplane|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=18643|title=Airmen|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=18734|title=Aeroplane|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1934/1934-22.htm|title=15 Nov 1934|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=09641|title=QANTAS DH 86 VH - USG at Darwin airport with crew|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=15096|title=Aeroplane|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=18643|title=Airmen|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=18734|title=Aeroplane|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1934/1934-22.htm|title=15 Nov 1934|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo|accessdate=13 May 2008}}</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 30 January 1942 | align="center" | ]
| align="center" | ] off ] | align="center" | ] off ]
| align="center" | ] | align="center" | ]
Line 55: Line 59:
| align="center" | 18 | align="center" | 18
| align="center" | 13 | align="center" | 13
| align="center" | <ref name="war"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntl.nt.gov.au/collections/personal_papers_collection/guide_to_papers_of_ray_shepherd|title=Papers of Ray Shepherd, File A20, ACC G-AEUH|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref><ref name="wynum">Graham, Wynnum B. (2001). Retrieved on 2008-05-13.</ref> | align="center" | <ref name="war"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntl.nt.gov.au/collections/personal_papers_collection/guide_to_papers_of_ray_shepherd|title=Papers of Ray Shepherd, File A20, ACC G-AEUH|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}}</ref><ref name="wynum">Graham, Wynnum B. (2001). Retrieved on 13 May 2008.</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 20 February 1942 | align="center" | 20 February 1942
Line 64: Line 68:
| align="center" | 9 | align="center" | 9
| align="center" | 9 | align="center" | 9
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10462/deriv/136510|title=De Havilland 86A owned by Qantas Empire Airways, ca. 1940|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=14671|title=Qantas DH86|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=14674|title=Qantas DH86|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1942/1942-8.htm|title=20 Feb 1942|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo |accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref>{{cite book|title=De Havilland 86A owned by Qantas Empire Airways, ca. 1940|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|hdl = 10462/deriv/136510}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=14671|title=Qantas DH86|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=14674|title=Qantas DH86|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1942/1942-8.htm|title=20 Feb 1942|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo |accessdate=13 May 2008}}</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 28 February 1942 | align="center" | 28 February 1942
Line 70: Line 74:
| align="center" | ] | align="center" | ]
| align="center" | G-AETZ | align="center" | G-AETZ
| Nicknamed "Circe"<br>God damn Japs got'em. | Nicknamed "Circe"<br>Shot down by Japanese aircraft; owned by ] and operated by Qantas.
| align="center" | 20 | align="center" | 20
| align="center" | 20 | align="center" | 20
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |title=QANTAS Empire Airways Chronological History |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170146987 |access-date=26 May 2021 |work=Cloncurry Advocate |date=30 May 1947 |page=4}}</ref>
| align="center" | <ref></ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 22 April 1943 | align="center" | 22 April 1943
Line 82: Line 86:
| align="center" | 31 | align="center" | 31
| align="center" | 13 | align="center" | 13
| align="center" | <ref name="wynum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P02557.009|title=AWM Collection Record: P02557.009|publisher=Australian War Memorial Collection|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref name="wynum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P02557.009|title=AWM Collection Record: P02557.009|publisher=Australian War Memorial Collection|accessdate=13 May 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719235731/http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P02557.009|archivedate=19 July 2009}}</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 26 November 1943 | align="center" | 26 November 1943
Line 91: Line 95:
| align="center" | 15 | align="center" | 15
| align="center" | 15 | align="center" | 15
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lock1.htm|title=Lodestar|last=Cuskelly|first=Ron|date=1997–2000|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref><ref>Francillon, Rene J. (1987).</ref> | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lock1.htm|title=Lodestar|last=Cuskelly|first=Ron|date=1997–2000|accessdate=13 May 2008}}</ref><ref>Francillon, Rene J. (1987).</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 11 October 1944 | align="center" | 11 October 1944
Line 100: Line 104:
| align="center" | 30 | align="center" | 30
| align="center" |2 | align="center" |2
| align="center" | <ref name="wynum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=14981|title=Aeroplane|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=2008-05-13}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10462/deriv/119769|title=Qantas Short C Class Empire flying boat VH-ABB 'Coolangatta', ca. 1940|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|accessdate=2008-05-13}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref name="wynum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/ntlpicweb/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=14981|title=Aeroplane|publisher=Northern Territory Library and Information Service|accessdate=13 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Qantas Short C Class Empire flying boat VH-ABB 'Coolangatta', ca. 1940|publisher=John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland|hdl = 10462/deriv/119769}}</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 23 March 1946 | align="center" | 23 March 1946
Line 109: Line 113:
| align="center" | 10 | align="center" | 10
| align="center" | 10 | align="center" | 10
| align="center" | <ref>Livingstone, Bob (1998). p. 122.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460323-0|title=Avro 691 Lancastrian 1 G-AGLX Indian Ocean |website=] |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-05-14}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref>Livingstone, Bob (1998). p. 122.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460323-0|title=Avro 691 Lancastrian 1 G-AGLX Indian Ocean |website=] |publisher=] |accessdate=14 May 2008}}</ref>
|- |-
| align="center" | 16 July 1951 | align="center" | 16 July 1951
Line 115: Line 119:
| align="center" | ] | align="center" | ]
| align="center" | VH-EBQ | align="center" | VH-EBQ
| Crashed in sea after centre propeller failure. | Crashed in sea after centre propeller failure, in heavy rain half a mile from the coast. Cargo of gold ]s worth £36,000 (A$1.7 million 2022) was never found.
| align="center" | 7 | align="center" | 7
| align="center" | 7 | align="center" | 7
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1951/1951-37.htm|title=16 Jul 1951|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo|accessdate=2010-06-30}}</ref> | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1951/1951-38.htm|title=16 Jul 1951|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|website=Planecrashinfo|accessdate=30 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/drover/drover.htm|title=DE HAVILLAND DHA-3 DROVER|last=Goodall|first=Geoff|website=Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site|accessdate=25 August 2017}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" | 21 September 1951
| align="center" | {{convert|11|km}} southeast of Arona in the ]
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | VH-AXL
| Crashed in mountainous country, no passengers aboard
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite news|title=Pilot killed in Qantas crash|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2838302|accessdate=11 February 2018|work=Canberra Times|page=4}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" | 13 December 1951
| align="center" | Near ], ]
| align="center" | ]
| align="center" | VH-URV
| Crashed in mountainous country
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite news|title=Air crash in New Guinea |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42724472|accessdate=11 February 2018|work=Cairns Post|date=15 December 1951|page=5}}</ref>
|} |}


==Notes== ==See also==
{{Commons|Qantas fatal accidents}}
{{reflist|2}}
* ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Allen|first=Eric|title=Airliners in Australian Service|volume=1|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd|location=Weston Creek, ACT|date=1995|isbn=1-875671-14-5|oclc=38384708}} * {{cite book|last=Allen|first=Eric|title=Airliners in Australian Service|volume=1|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd|location=Weston Creek, ACT|date=1995|isbn=1-875671-14-5|oclc=38384708}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lock1.htm|title=The Lockheed File: Lockheed Aircraft in Australia|last=Cuskelly|first=Ron|date=1997–2000}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lock1.htm|title=The Lockheed File: Lockheed Aircraft in Australia|last=Cuskelly|first=Ron|date=1997–2000}}
* {{cite book|last=Francillon|first=Rene J.|title=Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, MD|date=1987|isbn=0-87021-897-2|oclc=17156375}} * {{cite book|last=Francillon|first=Rene J.|title=Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, MD|date=1987|isbn=0-87021-897-2|oclc=17156375}}
* {{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Sir Wilmot Hudson|title=Qantas Rising: The Autobiography of the Flying Fysh|date=1965|publisher=Angus and Robertson|location=Sydney, NSW|isbn=|oclc=2223794|id=] Cat. No. 65-25523}} * {{cite book|last=Fysh|first=Sir Wilmot Hudson|title=Qantas Rising: The Autobiography of the Flying Fysh|date=1965|publisher=Angus and Robertson|location=Sydney, NSW|oclc=2223794|id=] Cat. No. 65-25523}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.adf-serials.com/research/empireflyingboats.pdf|format=PDF|title=Empire C Class Flying Boats|last=Graham|first=Wynnum B.|date=2001|publisher=Australian Military Aircraft Serials and Aircraft History}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.adf-serials.com/research/empireflyingboats.pdf|title=Empire C Class Flying Boats|last=Graham|first=Wynnum B.|date=2001|publisher=Australian Military Aircraft Serials and Aircraft History}}
* {{cite book|last=Job|first=Macarthur|title=Air Crash|volume=1|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd|location=Weston Creek, ACT|date=1991|isbn=0-9587978-9-7|oclc=28964777}} * {{cite book|last=Job|first=Macarthur|title=Air Crash|volume=1|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd|location=Weston Creek, ACT|date=1991|isbn=0-9587978-9-7|oclc=28964777}}
* {{cite book|last=Job|first=Macarthur|title=Air Crash|volume=2|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd|location=Weston Creek, ACT|date=1992|isbn=1-875671-01-3|oclc=221135405}} * {{cite book|last=Job|first=Macarthur|title=Air Crash|volume=2|publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd|location=Weston Creek, ACT|date=1992|isbn=1-875671-01-3|oclc=221135405}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.planecrashinfo.com/|title=PlaneCrashInfo.com|last=Kebabjian|first=Richard|date=1997–2008}}
* {{cite book|last=Livingstone|first=Bob|title=Under the Southern Cross: The B-24 Liberator in the South Pacific |publisher=Turner Publishing Company|location=Nashville, TN|date=1998|isbn=1-56311-432-1|oclc=44838653}} * {{cite book|last=Livingstone|first=Bob|title=Under the Southern Cross: The B-24 Liberator in the South Pacific |publisher=Turner Publishing Company|location=Nashville, TN|date=1998|isbn=1-56311-432-1|oclc=44838653}}
* {{cite web|last=Ranter|first=Harro|author2=Lujan, Fabian I. |url=http://aviation-safety.net/|title=Aviation Safety Network|date=1996–2008|publisher=Flight Safety Foundation}}

==See also==
{{Commons|Qantas fatal accidents}}
* ]
* ]


{{Qantas Group}} {{Qantas Group}}

Latest revision as of 06:31, 6 April 2024

Short S.23 Empire flying boat VH-ABB, which crashed in 1944.

While Qantas has never had a fatal jet airliner accident, the Australian national airline suffered losses in its early days before the widespread adoption of jets in civilian aviation. These were mainly biplanes or flying boats servicing routes in Queensland and New Guinea. The incidents between 1942 and 1944 were during World War II, when Qantas Empire Airways operated on behalf of the military. While strictly speaking not accidents, the shootdowns of G-AETZ and G-AEUH are included for completeness. In 2014 and 2023, Qantas was rated the world's safest airline by Airline Ratings.

Date Location Aircraft type Registration Description Total occupants Fatalities References
24 March 1927 Tambo, Australia Airco (later de Havilland) DH.9C G-AUED Stalled at low altitude on approach to land. Pilot Alan Douglas Davidson 3 3
4 September 1928 Adelaide Hills, Australia de Havilland DH.50J G-AUHI Following a tour carrying Sir John Salmond, aircraft departed Adelaide piloted by C. W. A. Scott with engineer as passenger; lost control in cloud during attempt to cross the Adelaide Hills and aircraft crashed and caught fire killing the engineer. See C. W. A. Scott's DH.50J Hermes, fatal crash. 2 1
3 October 1934 Near Winton, Australia de Havilland DH.50A VH-UHE Crashed after in-flight loss of control, possibly stalled at low altitude in dusty low-visibility conditions. 3 3
15 November 1934 Near Longreach, Australia de Havilland DH.86 VH-USG Crashed on its delivery flight from England to Brisbane after in-flight loss of control, probably due to the type's design deficiencies. 4 4
30 January 1942 Timor Sea off Koepang Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat G-AEUH Shot down by Japanese aircraft; ex-Qantas VH-ABD, owned by Imperial Airways and operated by Qantas. 18 13
20 February 1942 Brisbane, Australia de Havilland DH.86 VH-USE Lost control after take-off in stormy weather, possibly broke up in flight (tail fin found a mile from the crash site). 9 9
28 February 1942 Between Tjilatjap, Netherlands East Indies and Broome, Australia Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat G-AETZ Nicknamed "Circe"
Shot down by Japanese aircraft; owned by Imperial Airways and operated by Qantas.
20 20
22 April 1943 Gulf of Papua off Port Moresby, Papua Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat VH-ADU Stalled in flare and broke up during emergency landing in open water in poor weather. 31 13
26 November 1943 Port Moresby, Papua Lockheed C-56B Lodestar 42-68348 Struck hill after take-off; USAAF aircraft operated by Qantas for Allied Directorate of Air Transport. 15 15
11 October 1944 Rose Bay, Sydney, Australia Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat VH-ABB On final approach with one engine shut-down, stalled 3 metres (10 ft) above the water and hull ruptured on impact. 30 2
23 March 1946 Indian Ocean Avro Lancastrian G-AGLX Aircraft disappeared between Colombo and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, cause unknown; aircraft owned by BOAC and operated by both airlines on Sydney-London services (BOAC crews operated London-Karachi and Qantas crews Karachi-Sydney). 10 10
16 July 1951 Huon Gulf near Lae, Papua New Guinea de Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover VH-EBQ Crashed in sea after centre propeller failure, in heavy rain half a mile from the coast. Cargo of gold doré bars worth £36,000 (A$1.7 million 2022) was never found. 7 7
21 September 1951 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) southeast of Arona in the central highlands of New Guinea de Havilland DH.84 Dragon VH-AXL Crashed in mountainous country, no passengers aboard 1 1
13 December 1951 Near Mount Hagen, central highlands of New Guinea de Havilland DH.84 Dragon VH-URV Crashed in mountainous country 3 3

See also

References

  1. Creedy, Steve (12 February 2008). "Qantas safety record under threat". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 February 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  2. "History: Venturing Overseas". Qantas Airways Limited. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  3. ^ "History: The World at War". Qantas Airways Limited. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  4. Geoffrey, Thomas (8 January 2014). "AirlineRatings.com names the top ten safest airlines". airlineratings.com. Airline Ratings.
  5. G-AUED Airco aeroplane. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. hdl:10462/deriv/114375.
  6. Kebabjian, Richard. "24 Mar 1927". Planecrashinfo. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  7. Fysh, Sir Wilmot Hudson (1965). pp. 196--197, p. 285.
  8. Atalanta, a De Havilland DH50 biplane VH-UHE, ca. 1930. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. hdl:10462/deriv/134578.
  9. "QANTAS DH 86 VH - USG at Darwin airport with crew". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  10. "Aeroplane". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  11. "Airmen". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  12. "Aeroplane". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  13. Kebabjian, Richard. "15 Nov 1934". Planecrashinfo. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  14. "Papers of Ray Shepherd, File A20, ACC G-AEUH". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  15. ^ Graham, Wynnum B. (2001). Retrieved on 13 May 2008.
  16. De Havilland 86A owned by Qantas Empire Airways, ca. 1940. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. hdl:10462/deriv/136510.
  17. "Qantas DH86". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  18. "Qantas DH86". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  19. Kebabjian, Richard. "20 Feb 1942". Planecrashinfo. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  20. "QANTAS Empire Airways Chronological History". Cloncurry Advocate. 30 May 1947. p. 4. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  21. "AWM Collection Record: P02557.009". Australian War Memorial Collection. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  22. Cuskelly, Ron (1997–2000). "Lodestar". Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  23. Francillon, Rene J. (1987).
  24. "Aeroplane". Northern Territory Library and Information Service. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  25. Qantas Short C Class Empire flying boat VH-ABB 'Coolangatta', ca. 1940. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. hdl:10462/deriv/119769.
  26. Livingstone, Bob (1998). p. 122.
  27. "Avro 691 Lancastrian 1 G-AGLX Indian Ocean". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
  28. Kebabjian, Richard. "16 Jul 1951". Planecrashinfo. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  29. Goodall, Geoff. "DE HAVILLAND DHA-3 DROVER". Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  30. "Pilot killed in Qantas crash". Canberra Times. p. 4. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  31. "Air crash in New Guinea". Cairns Post. 15 December 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 11 February 2018.

Further reading

Qantas
Main airline
Wholly owned subsidiaries
Partly owned airlines
Affiliate airlines
Defunct airlines
Other services
Former subsidiaries
Miscellaneous
Categories: