Hi,
this was not a fatal crash. though the Pilot later died in a Mirage crash. see info from ADF Serials Website below
A20-714 CA-16- Accident 1030hrs 20/10/50 when flying low level navigational exercise (No 17)at 50 feet over Lake Corangamite after taking off from Point Cook 0948hrs; the pilot, proceeding to re-synchronise Direction Indicator with compass, in-advertently applied forward stick pressure which caused the airscrew to strike the water surface. He immediately attempted to climb but at 50-100 feet the engine vibration and the inability of the aircraft to climb, forced him to ditch the aircraft, canopy opened and tail down, on the lake. The aircraft had settled in 8 feet of water and 2-3 feet of mud. Pilot; T/Plt Vance Drummond Serv#A336624 injured slightly after striking forehead and nose on cockpit (He would become a Pilot in 77Sqn and would be shot down and captured in North Korea. Sadly in 1966 he would be killed in a Mirage crash) After being rescued by local Camperdown resident, he was flown back to Point Cook by Oxford. Approved for conversion 22/01/51. Tail section recovered 06/02/51. The fuselage and wings remain on site this very day. S R Wasp Eng # 647 fitted at time of crash.
http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/Wirraway-2A20-714
Cheers Dan
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