CRASH OF AN AVRO ANSON
AT KURRI KURRI, WEST MAITLAND, NEAR NEWCASTLE, NSW
ON 10 JANUARY 1940

At 2350 hours on 10 January 1940, Avro Anson A4-35 of 1 Squadron RAAF ran out of fuel whilst over bad country in bad visibility at night during a flight from Canberra to Richmond. The following three crew members parachuted to safety from the aircraft:-

The unmanned aircraft crashed into Mr. J. Nicholls' paddock at Deep Creek near the Soldier's Settlement at Kurri Kurri (now Loxford), West Maitland near Newcastle and was a total writeoff. LAC Feekings landed in a tree at Buchanan and managed to climb down from the tree and make his way to some nearby houses where the residents thought he was a prankster. He eventually received a ride with a farmer on his horse into Kurri Kurri where he alerted the authorities. Pilot Officer Robilliard landed safely near Rutherford Army Camp. Flight Lieutenant Griffith landed in a tree suffering a black eye and scratched face. He eventually untangled his parachute and headed for Rutherford Army Camp.

The Age (Melbourne, VIC) Friday 12 January 1940

Lost Bearings and
Poor Visibility

Details of the aircraft crash at West Maitland (N.S.W.) on Wednesday night were released by the Air Board yesterday. The names of the crew were given as follow:-

Flight-Lieutenant S. de B. Griffith, St. Kilda-road, Melbourne (first pilot and captain)

Pilot Officer F. W. Robillard, of South Australia (second pilot)

Leading Aircraftman W. Feekings, of Brisbane (wireless operator)

It was stated that the aircraft was engaged in night exercises and, owing to poor visibility from the air, the pilot was unable to locate himself accurately. Conditions were extremely bad for the direction-finding wireless, and though bearings of the aircraft from Air Force stations were obtained and transmitted, the crew was unable to use the information successfully. Having been in the air for more than 7 1/2 hours the pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft.

Flight-Lieutenant Griffith reported to his head quarters immediately after landing, and the remaining two members reported later. The aircraft was badly damaged.

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