CRASH OF A BEAUFIGHTER
AT COOMALIE CREEK
ON ABOUT 7 JUNE 1943

visits since 26 December 2001

During the afternoon of about 7 June 1943, a new crew from 31 Squadron RAAF based at Coomalie Creek airfield took Beaufighter A19-112 (T5330) for a familiarisation flight. The pilot, Sergeant Terry, swung the Beaufighter to one side very badly during takeoff. He lost control and it crashed into the trees at the edge of the strip. Sergeant Terry was very badly injured but his Navigator and a passenger (a Warrant Officer) were not seriously injured. The Beaufighter was written off for parts.

This aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in March 1943. AT the time of the crash, it was the normal aircraft of pilot Ken McDonald and his navigator Frank Magee. It had been borrowed by the new crew for the familiarisation flight.

31 Squadron RAAF - Beaufighter
(Another Internet site on 31 Squadron by Alan Brassil)

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Coomalie Charlie's Commandos - 31 Squadron RAAF" (page 83 & 84)
"Beaufighters at Darwin 1942-43"
by Kenneth Neal McDonald, DFC

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This page first produced 24 October 1999

This page last updated 26 December 2001