Date:	Sunday 27 September 1959
Time:	day
Type:	de Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth
Owner/operator:	North West District Flying School
Registration:	VH-ALI
MSN:	DHA.436
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Location:	B76 Gwydir Highway, between Moree and Inverell, NSW -   Australia
Phase:	Standing
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:	Moree, NSW
Destination airport:	Inverell Airport, Inverell, NSW (IVR/YIVL)

Narrative:
DH.82A Tiger Moth VH-ALI, North West District Flying School, Inverell, NSW: Damaged near Moree, NSW 26.9.59. The aircraft was reportedly involved in agricultural (crop spraying/top dressing operations). According to the DCA summary from the report into the incident

"At the completion of a flight for spray-flushing purposes, the pilot attempted a steep turn at a low height, and the aircraft cartwheeled when the starboard wingtip struck the ground".

The damage sustained was deemed repairable. In the event VH-ALI was destroyed by fire on 27.9.59 (the very next day) in a non-flying accident. Whilst being transported from Moree by road along the B76 Gwydir Highway back to Inverell for repairs, the aircraft caught fire and was burnt out.

Registration VH-ALI cancelled 16.12.59 as "Withdrawn from use"

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://www.austairdata.com.au/component/rsdirectory/entry/view/9963:vh-ali-2
4. https://edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austa/VH-ALI.html
5. http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a17b.htm
6. http://www.airhistory.org.uk/dh/pAus4.html
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwydir_Highway
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moree,_New_South_Wales#History
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverell_Airport
.

c/no. DHA.436: Taken on charge as A17-394 at 2 Aircraft Depot, RAAF Richmond, NSW 21.6.41. To 11 EFTS RAAF Benalla, Victoria 25.7.41. To 12 EFTS RAAF Lowood, Queensland 30.1.42. To 8 EFTS RAAF Narrandera, NSW 30.3.42. To De Havilland Australia at Mascot, Sydney, NSW 23.11.43 for overhaul (DHA No T190). To 2 Aircraft Park 7.1.44; returned to 8 EFTS RAAF Narrandrea, NSW 9.1.44. To Care & Maintenance Unit RAAF Tamworth, NSW 2.1.45 for long-term storage pending disposal; put up for sale 7.6.46.

Struck off charge when sold 13.9.46 for £100 to Association of Australian Aero Clubs, Sydney, NSW; issued to them 22.10.46. Registered as VH-ALI (C of R 1824) 21.9.51 to Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow, NSW. Re-registered 23.5.53 to Royal Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow, NSW. Re-registered 19.2.58 to North West District Flying School, Inverell, NSW.

Damaged Moree, NSW 26.9.59 in crop spraying operatrions as per the above; destroyed by fire 27.9.59 whilst being transported back to Inverell by road. Registration VH-ALI cancelled 16.12.59 as "withdrawn from use"

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
02-May-2025 05:29	Dr. John Smith	Added
02-May-2025 07:18	Dr. John Smith	Updated [Source, Narrative, ]