CRASH OF A VOUGHT KINGFISHER
INTO THE SWAN RIVER, 
NEAR THE SANDRINGHAM HOTEL, PERTH, WA
ON 12 SEPTEMBER 1943

visits since 14 March 2003

A US Navy Vought Kingfisher, designated OS2U-2 BN 2283, of Navy Scout Squadron VS-61, appeared to be in difficulties before it turned over and nose-dived suddenly into the middle of the Swan River a short distance from the Sandringham Hotel on Sunday 12 September 1943. It exploded after disappearing  beneath the surface of the river.

The aircraft was a piloted by William Burt Beck. The aircraft crashed while performing an engine test.

The crew of two were both killed:-

William Burt Beck, Pilot 

Robert Le Roy Carrier, Radio-operator 

The Pilot, William Beck, had married a local girl from Perth.

REFERENCE

"The West Australian" 14th September 1943

Aviation Archaelogical Investigation & Research

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Greg Shea and Ian Parker for their assistance with this page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

"Australia @ War"

This page first produced 14 March 2002

This page last updated 24 August 2007