1937 Airlines of Australia Stinson crash

Aircraft accident in Australia January 2016 June 2026 Accident Stinson Model A City of Brisbane crash Airlines of Australia VH-UHH.jpg 350 VH-UHH, the aircraft involved, seen in 1936 19 February 1937 Controlled flight into terrain Lamington National Park -28.309156 153.117789 type:event_region:AU-QLD inline,title 5 2 (pilots) 2 5; both pilots and 2 passengers died in crash (one survivor died later while searching for help) 3; passengers who survived crash, 1 died later while searching for help Stinson Model A City of Brisbane VH-UHH Airlines of Australia Archerfield Airport, Brisbane Lismore Airport, Lismore Sydney Airport, Sydney The 1937 Airlines of Australia Stinson crash was an accident which occurred on 19 February 1937. The Airlines of Australia Stinson Model A airliner disappeared during a flight from Brisbane to Sydney, carrying five passengers and two pilots. Both pilots and two passengers were killed in the crash. One of the surviving passengers died while attempting to bring help to the other survivors. The aircraft crashed in the McPherson Range on the border between Queensland and New South Wales.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47933194 Rescuer's Graphic Story of Finding of Stinson 'Plane The Barrier Miner 1 March 1937 12 December 2014 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225429/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47933194 live http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/History/Interest/Pages/StinsonInquest.aspx Stinson plane crash inquest Queensland State Archives 12 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20150929203108/http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/History/Interest/Pages/StinsonInquest.aspx 29 September 2015 live *Job Macarthur Macarthur Job Air Crash, Chapter 7 Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd 1991 0-9587978-9-7 91 The wreckage was found by Bernard O'Reilly of the Lamington Guest House who went looking for the aircraft believing it had failed to cross the border. The story garnered widespread interest due to the use of similar planes during the early days of aviation in Australia. The dramatic events brought prominence to the guesthouse.O'Reilly Peter August 2008 The Spirit of O'Reillys Peter O'Reilly 29 978-0-646-49601-6 The flight The aircraft was one of three new Stinson tri-motor aircraft purchased in February 1936 for Airlines of Australia, 'said to be the most modern and luxuriously equipped and fitted 'planes operating in U.S.A. to-day'.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172910176 Brisbane-Townsville Air Service Daily Mercury 70 40 Queensland, Australia 15 February 1936 8 August 2020 8 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225435/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/172910176 live At a cruising speed of 165 mph kph, they could climb to 8000 ft m, and had a retractable undercarriage, variable-pitch propellers, and landing flaps. The airplane was registered VH-UHH and called Brisbane. The others were registered VH-UGG (Lismore) and VH-UKK (Townsville).VH-UKK, Townsville, was renamed Binana, and still in use by 1945.One month later, on 27 March 1937 at 5.30 am near the Archerfield aerodrome, VH-UGG crashed en route to Townsville, killing the pilot and one other person. (The Northern Herald (Cairns, Qld), 22 May 1937, p. 19, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150554969 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225435/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150554969 19 May 2022 ) This occurred in fog, and a failure of the right engine was later noted. Some of the airline's aircraft on the Sydney–Brisbane mail route were fitted with radios. Prior to the crash, the pilot Boyden and the airline's managing director had discussed the purpose of fitting a radio for emergencies, which was infant technology at the time.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36877020 Better wavelength an essential The Courier-Mail 1087 Queensland, Australia 23 February 1937 8 August 2020 13 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225436/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36877020 live It was noted the pilots had only basic proficiency in Morse code, and weather reports might have to be transmitted as slowly as five words per minute. On Friday, 19 February 1937, VK-UKK Townsville had been flown by pilot Shepherd from Sydney to Archerfield, Brisbane, via the coastal route, arriving 11.30 am; with VK-UHH Brisbane flown by Boyden arriving half-an-hour later from Sydney, via the inland route.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article183470086 Coroner invited to fly in Stinson plane over scene of crash The Telegraph (Brisbane) Queensland, Australia 2 April 1937 8 August 2020 1 City Final Last Minute News National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225429/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183470086 live The weather conditions over the coastal route were considered 'a little sticky'; while the furnished report from Sydney 'was not bad'. Lismore had been raining, with 'quite a bit of water on the field'; Archerfield was not concerning. Determining whether to fly however was always given to be a matter for the pilot. Taking off from Archerfield after 1.00 pm on Friday, VH-UHH Brisbane flown by Boyden and co-piloted by Shepherd was meant to arrive in Sydney by 4.30 pm.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171469466 Brisbane-Sydney air-liner lost The Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales 68 8614 New South Wales, Australia 24 February 1937 8 August 2020 2 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225430/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171469466 live Almost immediately, 'HH' flew into cyclonic weather. It was later indicated the south-easterly winds would strike the southern face of the McPherson Range plateau, rising, and causing extreme turbulence to a considerable height; wind blowing at 40 to 60 mph kph in gusts; a quite rare occasion for that part of Queensland, and would be confined to a very local area.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216122597 Coronial inquiry The Beaudesert Times XXIX 1506 Queensland, Australia 16 April 1937 9 August 2020 4 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225432/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216122597 live The aircraft was reported missing by 7.30 pm Friday night. Searches Missing aircraft searches were concentrated mostly north of Sydney, New South Wales, towards Newcastle, and included four Royal Australian Air Force aircraft.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17314750 Observer saw no traces. The Sydney Morning Herald 30,932 New South Wales, Australia 22 February 1937 8 August 2020 10 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225431/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17314750 live Sister Stinson aircraft VH-UKK also left Archerfield on Saturday morning and unsuccessfully checked the McPherson Range area. The highest part of the range is Mount Barney at 1359 m ft. Separate to reports north of Sydney, and Taree,http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171469465 Aactivity in Taree. The Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales 68 8614 New South Wales, Australia 24 February 1937 8 August 2020 2 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225430/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171469465 live sound of a possible crashed aircraft was reported by a farmer from Nimbin, New South Wales, and searches were launched from Lismore.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62788521 No news of Stinson. Townsville Daily Bulletin LIX 47 Queensland, Australia 24 February 1937 8 August 2020 7 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225432/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/62788521 live Most hope of finding the aircraft was abandoned by Tuesday, 23 February 1937. Discovery thumb|right|Bronze statue at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat depicting the rescue The aircraft was heard by people in Lamington and Hill View areas south of Beaudesert, Queensland at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Friday, 19 February 1937. It was circling at low altitude and then headed towards the mountain range. There was heavy rain in the area at the time. After reported sightings of the aircraft in New South Wales proved to be false, Bernard O'Reilly believed it must have had insufficient height to clear the mountains and subsequently crashed somewhere in the McPherson range. He hiked into the mountains to look for the aircraft on Saturday, 27 February 1937, and after camping overnight he found the crash site at about 4:30pm on the afternoon of 28 FebruaryO'Reilly Bernard 31 March 1937 Statement to Coroners Court, Brisbane Pp90-93 https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM3608740 23 February 2022 Queensland State Archives 19 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220319032439/https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM3608740 live with the two survivors waiting by the wreckage: Joseph Binstead who was uninjured, and John Proud who had a broken leg.13 March 1937 Crash survivors and their rescuer CXLII 30 The Australasian 4,601 Victoria, Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141786946 8 August 2020 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225431/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141786946 live On seeing O'Reilly, they asked to shake his hand and then wanted to know the cricket scores. They had been able to get water from a creek about a mile from the crash site but had had no food.1 March 1937 First rescue party reaches wrecked 'place 1 The Newcastle Sun New South Wales, Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166626766 2 January 2020 Trove 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225432/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166626766 live Two other passengers and the two pilots died from injuries sustained in the crash. Another passenger, James Westray, aged 25 from London, had received major burns and other minor injuries in the accident and left to find help the morning after the crash, but died after he fell over a cliff.3 March 1937 Westray died from fall 15 The Courier-Mail Queensland, Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36875289 10 April 2020 Trove 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225432/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36875289 live O’Reilly discovered Westray’s body on his journey down the mountain to summon help for the survivors. The crash site is about 82 km mi S/SSE of the Archerfield Aerodrome. O'Reilly later wrote of his experiences in the book Green Mountains (1940). Crew and passengers Crew Reginald Haslam 'Rex' Boyden, experienced chief pilot, aged 40. Former WW1 army soldier and RAF pilot.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194406152 Memorial service Daily Examiner 28 8938 New South Wales, Australia 25 March 1937 8 August 2020 9 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225441/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/194406152 live http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193613302 Captain Rex Boyden Daily Examiner 28 8958 New South Wales, Australia 19 April 1937 9 August 2020 7 National Library of Australia Deceased, killed instantly. Beverley G. M. Shepherd, experienced first pilot, aged 26. From Sydney, NSW.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237453674 Of New South Wales airliner found – two are alive The Labor Daily 4129 New South Wales, Australia 1 March 1937 8 August 2020 1 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225546/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/237453674 live Deceased, killed instantly. Passengers Joseph Robert 'Joe' Binstead, aged 54, company director and wool broker, from Sydney, New South Wales. Survivor, suffering a leg injury.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193604452 Binstead's thrilling story Daily Examiner 28 8945 New South Wales, Australia 3 April 1937 8 August 2020 7 National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117624647 Why Mr. Binstead Travelled As Mr. Barnett Queensland Times LXXVII 15,690 Queensland, Australia 1 March 1937 8 August 2020 7 (Daily) National Library of Australia William Walden Fountain, aged 41, architect, New York. Fountain had been supervising the construction of a new theatre in Brisbane for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Deceased. James Ronald (or Roland) Naire R. Graham, aged 55, managing director, printers supplies, of Sydney, New South Wales. Deceased. John Seymour Proud (1907 – 9 October 1997), mining engineer and member of a jewellery retailer family, of Wahroonga, New South Wales.Scanlon Mike The story behind The Riddle of the Stinson https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4773644/one-mans-mission-to-find-a-missing-plane/ Newcastle Herald 8 August 2020 9 July 2017 16 April 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416223715/https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4773644/one-mans-mission-to-find-a-missing-plane/ live Survivor, with compound fracture of the leg. James Guthrie 'Jim' Westray, aged 25, from England on a business trip,The story of the Stinson wreck, as told by Bernard O'Reilly http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Other/QueenslandHistory/THESTORYOFTHESTINSONWRECK.htm Queensland History 8 August 2020 4 December 2004 insurance underwriter, Lloyd's, London.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article184117734 Westray Memorial Unveiled The Telegraph (Brisbane) Queensland, Australia 25 November 1937 8 August 2020 10 (Second edition) National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225548/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/184117734 live Survivor able to walk, but later died from injuries sustained when going for help. Inquiries The Air Accidents Investigation Committee found 'the machine was swept down by a down current', and the Civil Aviation Department control officer, Archerfield Aerodrome stated 'Knowing Pilot Boyden, I will say that he was not negligent'.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230341726 For safer flying The Sun 8500 New South Wales, Australia 2 April 1937 9 August 2020 12 (Late final extra) National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225546/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230341726 live The coroner of a later inquiry stated 'he could not place any reliance on the Air Accidents Investigation, because the evidence was not taken in public, and he did not know where they got their evidence'. A coronial inquiry was held in Brisbane concluded on Friday, 16 April 1937. Weather conditions were a strong focus of the investigations, and whether communications equipment would have been beneficial. The airline's flight superintendent discussed the altimeter, discounted the suggestions of the two surviving passengers as lacking experience to determine the aircraft's flying height, and believed the crash cause was 'an abnormal down current of air'.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55591027 [Normal air current cause of crash Morning Bulletin 22,054 Queensland, Australia 2 April 1937 8 August 2020 9 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225622/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55591027 live The coroner Mr J. J. Leahy, while not empowered under the statute to make any findings, noted the airline company had a very good and comforting flying record, 'tragic fatalities should be awaited to provide generating reasons for the institution of improvements to safeguard human life', and the authorities if studying the evidence presented to the inquiry, should be possible to draw soundly-based conclusions pointing to the pressing need for improved methods of ground organisation, centralised control, and supervision at the aerodrome of pilots and their duties, the supply of up-to-the-minute weather reports on air routes, the establishment of reporting stations, and the utilisation to the fullest extent of radio aids.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216118652 Coronial inquiry The Beaudesert Times XXIX 1507 Queensland, Australia 23 April 1937 9 August 2020 9 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225547/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216118652 live Memorials A plaque is at the incident site.ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 28526 https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/28526 Aviation Safety Network 8 August 2020 13 May 2018 21 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201021224544/https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/28526 live A monument was erected at Collins Gap, on the then-Bruxner Highway, Queensland–New South Wales border for Westray.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94703148 Westray Memorial The Northern Star 62 New South Wales, Australia 29 November 1937 8 August 2020 7 National Library of Australia 19 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519225548/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/94703148 live Monuments Australia https://www.monumentaustralia.org/themes/people/tragedy/display/99747-james-guthrie-westray James Guthrie Westray 8 August 2020 19 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220319130729/https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/tragedy/display/99747-james-guthrie-westray live It was paid by public subscription, and unveiled in 1937. It is 40 km mi WSW of the crash site. A replica of the Stinson Model A, from the 1987 movie, is displayed outside O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, Lamington National Park. Dramatisation The Riddle of the Stinson, a 1987 made-for-TV drama film about the crash and rescue, was broadcast in 1988 on Network 10. Directed by Chris Noonan, it starred Jack Thompson as O'Reilly. See also 1945 Australian National Airways Stinson crash The Riddle of the Stinson, a 1987 Australian television film about the 1937 crash and the rescue of the survivors Notes note References External links 19 February 2024 Stranded on the range: Rescuing the survivors of the 1937 Stinson Plane Crash – Stories from the Archives https://blogs.archives.qld.gov.au/2024/02/19/stranded-on-the-range-rescuing-the-survivors-of-the-1937-stinson-plane-crash/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20240316235527/https://blogs.archives.qld.gov.au/2024/02/19/stranded-on-the-range-rescuing-the-survivors-of-the-1937-stinson-plane-crash/ 16 March 2024 13 August 2024 Blogs Queensland State Archives Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 1937 Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in Queensland Category:Disasters in Queensland Category:Airliner accidents and incidents involving controlled flight into terrain Category:Scenic Rim Region Category:1937 in Australia Category:1930s in Queensland Category:1937 disasters in Australia