FORCED LANDING OF A P-40 KITTYHAWK
AT MILDURA AIRFIELD, VIC
ON 7 FEBRUARY 1945

On 7 February 1945, Pilot Officer John William Standish Mossop (418148) of 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF, had just completed an aerobatic exercise in P-40 Kittyhawk A29-193 when the cockpit filled with smoke and fumes. Mossop immediately switched off the engine to decrease any fire hazard and attempted a forced landing possibly at Mildura Airfield. He proceeded to lower the undercarriage with the hand pump too late and he landed with the wheels half way down. The pilot was uninjured.

The main ignition switch of the aircraft was found to be burnt out causing the smoke and fumes. Due to this short circuit, the almost flat battery would not lower the wheels and when Mossop resorted to the use of the manual undercarriage pump, the aircraft was too low before the undercarriage could be fully extended.

REFERENCES

2 Operational Training Unit ORB, NAA File, Page 408

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This page first produced 3 July 2022

This page last updated 03 July 2022