CRASH OF A WIRRAWAY
AT DARWIN, NT
ON 4 FEBRUARY 1945

Wirraway CA-8 A20-294 of 549 Squadron RAF, piloted by Flying Officer R. W. Shepherd RAF, crashed on landing at Darwin, in the Northern Territory on 4 February 1945.

Flying Officer R. W. Shepherd RAF was executing a down-wind landing towards dispersal in the normal manner, and after a wheel landing, the aircraft commenced to swing to starboard - instead of using a burst of engine and rudder to correct this, he applied port brake, but without avail - the aircraft swung through 50 degrees into a large drain at the edge of the runway. (Source: RAAF Museum "Aircraft Accident Data” cards, compiled by John Hopton, AAHR 3A)

The wrecked aircraft was received by 7 RSU on 5 February 1945. It was then received by 8 CRD for conversion to components on 3 April 1945.

During a recent visit to the Darwin Aviation Museum's workshop in about September 2022, Rod Mountford was able to identify one of the Wirraway frames at the Museum as belonging to A20-294. Rod with help from Derek Buckmaster, was able to identify it as belonging to A20-294 using the two tags located on the frame. See photos below.

Photo:- Rod Mountford