ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA VH-SMK Camden Airport, NSW (CDU)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Sunday 1 January 1950
Time:00:57
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-SMK
MSN: 6043
First flight:
Total airframe hrs:2566
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC3-G
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:near Camden Airport, NSW (CDU) (   Australia)
Phase: Initial climb (ICL)
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Camden Airfield, NSW (CDU/YSCN), Australia
Destination airport:Dubbo Airport, NSW (DBO/YSDU), Australia
Narrative:
The Lockheed Hudson was engaged in a cargo flight to transport copies of The Sunday Herald newspaper from Camden to Dubbo, Australia.
Immediately after takeoff, from a height of about 150 feet, the aircraft stalled and dived into the ground. Both occupants were killed.
The investigation showed that the captain did not hold a valid license, but he was competent to act as pilot-in-command of the Hudson. It was not considered to be a factor in the accident.
It was also found that the takeoff weight was 213-594 lbs over the maximum permitted weight. The load was correctly distributed, but not secured as required.

Probable Cause:

CAUSE: Loss of control of the aircraft for reasons undetermined.
The no.2 engine probably failed prior to impact with the ground and such failure, if it did occur, would be a possible contributory cause of the loss of control.

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: DCA Australia
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 154 days (5 months)
Accident number: Final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Cause undetermined
Loss of control

Sources:
» The Sydney Morning Herald - 2 Jan 1950


Photos

photo of Lockheed-414-08-Hudson-IVA-VH-SMK
accident date: 01-01-1950
type: Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
registration: VH-SMK
photo of Lockheed-414-08-Hudson-IVA-VH-SMK
accident date: 01-01-1950
type: Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
registration: VH-SMK
photo of Lockheed-414-08-Hudson-IVA-VH-SMK
accident date: 01-01-1950
type: Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
registration: VH-SMK
photo of Lockheed-414-08-Hudson-IVA-VH-SMK
accident date: 01-01-1950
type: Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
registration: VH-SMK
photo of Lockheed-414-08-Hudson-IVA-VH-SMK
accident date: 01-01-1950
type: Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
registration: VH-SMK
 

Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Camden Airfield, NSW to Dubbo Airport, NSW as the crow flies is 282 km (176 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

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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