CRASH OF A MOSQUITO
AT BANKSTOWN, NSW
ON 8 NOVEMBER 1944

Mosquito

RAAF Mosquito A52-18 (Mark FB.40) pulled out of a steep dive too quickly resulting in structural failure of the aircraft, causing it to crash at Bankstown in New South Wales on 8 November 1944. This accident happened during a RAAF Acceptance Test Flight at the De Havilland factory Bankstown NSW.

The Mosquito dived across the airfield on at least two occasions. It was seen to attempt to pull out of a dive at about 500 feet. It levelled momentarily and at that stage the starboard wing tip broke away. Immediately afterwards a large section of the starboard wing skin tore away. The remainder of the wing then disintegrated and the aircraft crashed.

The crew of Mosquito A52-18 were both killed:-

Flight Lieutenant Thomas Edward Nelson Crouch (404237) of No. 2 Aircraft Park

Warrant Officer David Forbes Clare (416544) of 2 Aircraft Park

Various parts of the Mosquito fell to the ground mostly to the west of Cooraban Street, Bankstown at the south east corner of today's Bankstown airfield.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Beaufort, Beaufighter and Mosquito - In Australian Service"
By Stewart Wilson

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 26 September 1999

This page last updated 25 January 2020