COLLISION BETWEEN A KITTYHAWK AND A WIRRAWAY
NEAR MILDURA AIRFIELD
ON 6 DECEMBER 1943

Kittyhawk A29-35 piloted by Sgt. Ronald Keith Ashby (417737) and Wirraway A20-89 piloted by F/O G.H. White, both of No. 2 Operational Training Unit (2OTU) RAAF collided 1 mile south east of Mildura airfield at 1145 hours E.A.S.T. on 6 December 1943. Both pilots bailed out of their aircraft and survived the accident. P/O E.P. Simpson was shown as a 2nd pilot on the report.

The Aircraft Accident Data report described the incident as follows:-

"A29-35 collided with A20-89 at 10,000 feet whilst carrying out wing training drill. A29-35 was the attacking A/C & hit the port wing of Wirraway with airscrew and nose. Both pilots baled out by parachute at 6 - 7,000 feet."

The probable cause of the accident was listed as "Error of judgment."

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Corporal Darryl Gibbs of the RAAF Wagga Museum for his assistance with details on this crash.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 29 December 2000

This page last updated 03 February 2020