CRASH OF A P-40E-1 WARHAWK
AT GARBUTT AIRFIELD, TOWNSVILLE, QLD
ON 1 OCTOBER 1943

At 1027hrs on 1 October 1943, P-40E-1 Warhawk #41-36157 (Ex RAAF DA3 assigned) ex ET803 took off from APO710 (Charters Towers, V Fighter Command Replacement Center) to participate in an aerial gun exercise.

The pilot, 2ndLt Lawrence A McInnis O-681688, attempted a three-point landing with full flaps at Garbutt Airfield in Townsville APO922 on the last 1,000 feet of runway. He reached the end of the strip and he started to turn off the runway. It was noted by the investigation team that it was inadvisable to use full flaps in a cross wind, however, despite having over 100 hours on the type, he did so.

With a strong 45-to-60-degree crosswind, he bounced slightly and was unable to keep the P-40E-1 Warhawk straight, before ground looping, he struck a sand dune which resulted in the landing gear folding under, along with a scraped starboard wing, and bent propeller and cowling.

The pilot, 2ndLt Lawrence A McInnis O-681688, was not injured. The P-40E-1 Warhawk was condemned on 22 October 1943.

NOTE:-  2ndLt Lawrence A McInnis O-681688 had bent another P-40E-1, #41-36244 ET890 only a few days earlier when landing downwind on 29 September 1943. Where did this crash happen?

After overshooting on his first approach, he was warned to circle around again after a red light from the control Tower. On his second attempt, he persisted in landing, ending up ground looping the aircraft and damaging the underside, the landing gear and the propeller.

Prior to being assigned to the V Fighter Command Replacement Center, P-40E-1 #41-36244 was part of the HQ Flight V Command Fighter Command previously prior to this date. She too was condemned on the 22 October 1943. She saw no combat in Australia, as she was held at Williamstown, NSW by the 21st TCS up to the 1 October 1942 after acceptance until she went to HQ Flight V Command Fighter Command.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Gordon Birkett for his assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 24 December 2024

This page last updated 24 December 2024