CRASH LANDING OF A WIRRAWAY
AT AMBERLEY AIRFIELD
ON 9 APRIL 1941
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

Also on 9 April 1941, Wirraway A20-160 of 3 Service Flying Training School 3 SFTS piloted by pupil LAC F.C. Harper made a crash landing at Amberley. Harper was completing a cockpit drill prior to landing when he noticed warning devices for the undercarriage still working after going through the usual procedure. He flew over Amberley Airfield to attract attention, then came in to land. At the end of the runway, the port undercarriage leg collapsed, causing the aircraft to swing around on its port wing. Subsequent inspection showed that the locking pin had seized. There was no injury to personnel. The port wing tip was buckled, the left hand outer flaps were buckled and ribs broken, and the left hand inner flap was buckled at the extreme end.

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"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 13 February 2026

This page last updated 13 February 2026