Date:	Thursday 27 February 1958
Time:	day
Type:	de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth
Owner/operator:	Townsville Aero Club
Registration:	VH-BCR
MSN:	DHA.286/T195
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Location:	Townsville Airport, Townsville, Queensland -   Australia
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:	Townsville Airport, Townsville, Queensland (TSV/YBTL)
Destination airport:	Townsville Airport, Townsville, Queensland (TSV/YBTL)

Narrative:
DH.82A Tiger Moth VH-BCR, Townsville Aero Club, Townsville, Queensland: Written off (damaged beyond repair) 27.2.58 when crashed on takeoff from Townsville, Queensland at the start of a dual flying training sortie. (3rd and final crash). According to the summary from the DCA report into the incident (see link #2)

"The aircraft could not be controlled directionally by the instructor soon after take-off and crashed into scrub country. The instructor was unaware that the rudder connecting bar was not fitted."

As noted above, VH-BCR crashed a total of three times between 1950 and 1958:
10.12.50: Damaged in forced landing at Warialda, Queensland with blocked pitot tube; repaired and returned to service (1st crash)
29.05.54: Badly damaged when struck telephone wires whilst forced landing Charters Towers, Queensland; repaired and returned to service (2nd crash)
27.02.58: Crashed on take-off following engine failure Townsville Airport, Townsville, Queensland (3rd and final crash). Not repaired, registration VH-BCR cancelled 30.4.59 as "damaged beyond repair"

1. https://air-britain.com/pdfs/production-lists/DH82.pdf
2. https://airwaysmuseum.com/Downloads/DCA%20accident%20reports%201956%20to%201968%20v2.pdf
3. https://edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austb/VH-BCR.html
4. https://www.austairdata.com.au/component/rsdirectory/entry/view/11471:vh-bcr-1
5. http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a17a.htm
6. http://www.airhistory.org.uk/dh/pAus2.html
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Townsville_Airport

c/no. DHA.286: Taken on charge as A17-267 at 2 Aircraft Depot, RAAF Richmond, NSW 3.3.41. To 2 EFTS RAAF Archerfield, Brisbane, Queensland 7.4.41. This aircraft was a Gift from Queensland Round Table Club - the official presentation was on 12.8.41. To 5 EFTS RAAF Narromine, NSW 13.4.42. To De Havilland Australia at Mascot, Sydney, NSW 3.12.43 for overhaul; DHA No. T195. Upon completion, delivered to 2 Aircraft Park 25.1.44; returned to service with 5 EFTS RAAF Narromine, NSW 29.1.44. To 1 EFTS RAAF Tamworth, NSW 26.6.44. Withdrawn from service to storage 7.10.44 at RAAF Tamworth, NSW. Transferred to Care & Maintenance Unit at RAAF Tamworth, NSW 12.12.44 for long-term storage pending disposal. Put up for sale 7.6.46.

Struck off charge when sold 6.9.46 for £100 to Association of Australian Aero Clubs, Sydney, NSW; issued to them 30.9.46.Registered as VH-BCR (C of R 1258) 23.4.47 to Royal Queensland Aero Club, Archerfield, Brisbane, Queensland. Damaged in forced landing at Warialda, Queensland 10.12.50 with blocked pitot tube; repaired and returned to service. Re-registered 20.7.51 to Townsville Aero Club, Townsville, Queensland. Badly damaged when struck telephone wires whilst forced landing Charters Towers, Queensland 29.5.54; repaired and returned to service.

Crashed on take-off following engine failure Townsville Airport, Townsville, Queensland 27.2.58 as per the above. Registration VH-BCR cancelled 30.4.59.

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
23-Apr-2025 07:01	Dr. John Smith	Added