FORCED LANDING OF A VULTEE
VENGEANCE
AT CEDUNA AIRFIELD, SA
ON 23 NOVEMBER 1944
Vultee Vengeance A27-507 was being flight tested by Flight Lieutenant Peter Alan Hislop Wright (401) at Ceduna Airfield in South Australia on 23 November 1944 after an engine change. A partial engine failure occurred when the aircraft was almost airborne during takeoff. The pilot had sufficient power to achieve 120 mph and fly to a position crosswind to the airfield. The pilot then realised he could not make a complete circuit and attempted a crosswind landing. He did not have sufficient height and speed for a normal approach and the aircraft stalled at about 5 feet from the deck. The heavy landing collapsed the port undercarriage leg.
The apparent cause of the engine failure was excessive oiling up. The engine was allotted to No. 5 Aircraft Depot 5 A.D. for examination.
Elaine Probert's father “proceeded on temporary duty to Ceduna by road on 26/11/1944. Returned by road at 1700 hours 5/12/1944. Duty – recovery crashed aircraft 5 CRD”. No 5 Central Recovery Depot was based at Port Pirie at that time.
5 CRD salvaged Vultee Vengeance at Ceduna on 30 November 1944. AMSE approved its conversion to components on 25 December 1944. It was Struck Off Charge on 19 December 1944.
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Vultee Vengeance A27-507 with collapsed port undercarriage leg
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Vultee Vengeance A27-507 sitting on 44 gallon drums
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Vultee Vengeance A27-507 sitting on 44 gallon drums
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Vultee Vengeance A27-507 being lifted onto a trailer
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Vultee Vengeance A27-507 on a semi-trailer
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Recovery vehicle
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Recovery team at Ceduna
Photo:- via Eliane Probert
Recovery team at Ceduna
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'd like to thank Elaine Probert for her assistance with this web page. Elaine's father was a member of the above recovery team.
Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?
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This page first produced 5 July 2016
This page last updated 02 February 2020