Accident Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA VH-SMK, Sunday 1 January 1950

Date:	Sunday 1 January 1950
Time:	00:57
Type:	Lockheed 414-08 Hudson IVA
Owner/operator:	John Fairfax & Sons
Registration:	VH-SMK
MSN:	6043
Total airframe hrs:	2566 hours
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC3-G
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	near Camden Airport, NSW (CDU) - Australia
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Camden Airfield, NSW (CDU/YSCN)
Destination airport:	Dubbo Airport, NSW (DBO/YSDU)
Investigating agency:	DCA Australia
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

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.

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: