This Day in History: 1943-04-17

de Havilland DH.84 Dragon A34-47 operated by 34 Sqn RAAF crashed at Burragorang valley, NSW on 17 April 1943. On the first leg of a ferry flight from Mascot airport to RAAF Base Forest Hill, NSW the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination. No evidence has ever been found to show where the aircraft crashed. The 1943 Court of Enquiry found that severe engine vibrations hab been reported five times, and on the previous day SGT Doyle had reported magneto problems on both engines. On the morning of the flight SGT Doyle had requested a check of both engine magnetos, control wires and propellor bolts. The Aircraft had no radio and no parachutes were carried. Pilot A412236 SGT Douglas Brian Doyle (24) married of Murrurundi NSW, co-pilot A420615 SGT Francis Joseph Doyle (19) single of Wagga Wagga, NSW and passengers O409154 FLGOFF Geoffrey Hugh Lester (20) single of Mansfield VIC, O-013899 1st Lt Cecil Joseph Umstead USMCR (22) married of Kensington, Maryland USA and, O14229 1st Lt Horace Albert Teague USMCR (20) of Baltimore, Maryland USA were declared missing presumed killed. Sources: ADF-Serials; aviation-safety.net website