CAC Plant Reports 1941, numbers 86 – 97

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1956 Two RAAF aviators were killed in the crash of Winjeel A85-419 in the training area south-east of Canberra (over Carwoola): Flying Officer John (Jack) McCarthy (O35102) and Pilot Officer Bruce Best (O41910). The Winjeel was considered “a safe aircraft to spin but nevertheless there was a suspicion that perhaps some were rogue spinners - in other words they might not react to normal spin recovery techniques.” Therefore, RAAF decided to test spin a large number of its Winjeels (including all 12 aircraft at Uranquinty), with a Test Pilot from the RAAF’s Aircraft Research & Development Unit (ARDU) at Laverton flown up specially. Each aircraft was spun eight times left and then eight to the right, with no abnormal handling characteristics noted. The crash at Carwoola therefore “remained a mystery, although there was speculation that the pilots may have forgotten that Canberra was 1800 feet above sea level (Canberra & Uranquinty aerodromes have a 1200’ height difference) and when spinning above full cloud cover on the day, may not have allowed for mountains in the cloud.” (Source: D. Hanzl)