ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA (VH-SMJ) Muswellbrook, NSW
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Thursday 30 October 1947
Time:05:40
Type:Silhouette image of generic L14 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
Operator:John Fairfax & Sons
Registration: (VH-SMJ)
MSN: 6046
First flight: 1941
Total airframe hrs:1456
Engines: 2 Wright R-1820-SC3G
Crew:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:4,5 km (2.8 mls) SE of Muswellbrook, NSW (   Australia)
Phase: Maneuvering (MNV)
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Camden Airfield, NSW (CDU/YSCN), Australia
Destination airport:Camden Airfield, NSW (CDU/YSCN), Australia
Narrative:
The Lockheed Hudson departed Camden Airport, Australia at 04:55 on a normal paper dropping service to Muswellbrook, Tamworth, Kepmsey, Coff's Harbour and Evans Head.
At Muswellbrook a consignment of newspapers were supposed to be dropped on a preselected dropping zone without landing.
Approaching the drop zone the aircraft dived into the ground.

Probable Cause:

CAUSE: "Loss of control probably resulting from the centre of gravity of VH-SMJ being aft of the rearward limit specified by the Certificate of Airworthiness, as a consequence of the incorrect disposal of the load.
A possible contributory cause of the incorrect loading of VH-SMJ was the present procedure followed by the Department of Civil Aviation whereby the Interim Certificate of Airworthiness is issued without ensuring that the operator is in possession of information necessary to sensure the safe loading of the aircraft."

Accident investigation:

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Investigating agency: DCA Australia
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 81 days (3 months)
Accident number: Final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Centre of Gravity outside limits
Loss of control

Sources:
» The Lockheed File - VH-SMJ


Photos

photo of Lockheed-414-08-Hudson-IVA-(VH-SMJ)
accident date: 30-10-1947
type: Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
registration: (VH-SMJ)
photo of Lockheed-414-08-Hudson-IVA-(VH-SMJ)
accident date: 30-10-1947
type: Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
registration: (VH-SMJ)
 

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This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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