Lockheed Ventura collided with a beacon mast at Mackay on 20 October 1944

Lockheed Ventura A59-14, ex #41-38065, (FD613), c/n 4721, piloted by F/Lt Bevan Lutwych West (407264) of 13 Aircraft Repair Depot (13 ARD) at Breddan collided with a wireless mast and neon sign above Molloy's Hotel in Mackay, north Queensland while buzzing the city area at about 9:10 am on Friday 20 October 1944. On its first run over the city, residents ran from their houses and shops. Although the city had been buzzed before on a number of occasions, this event reached an all time low altitude. On a subsequent run over the city the Ventura flew very low along Sydney Street and the locals then heard a startling crash when the aircraft hit the steel mast over Molloy's Hotel in Sydney Street. The mast had previously been used to flash out the MK signal to night flying aircraft. The aircraft was slightly damaged and the pilot, Flt. Lt. B.L. West was uninjured.

The "History (Movements, Casualties, Etc) card states that this aircraft was originally received by the RAAF at 2 AD ex USA on 21 June 1943. It was allotted 1 AD for fire proofing of tanks and fitment of ASV and completion of operational fitment on 29 July 1943. It was allotted to 2 Squadron ex 1 AD on 4 November 1943 which was later cancelled on 16 December 1943. It was allotted to 13 Squadron on 8 January 1944 and issued to 13 Squadron on 5 February 1944 and received by 13 Squadron on 6 February 1944. It was allotted to 1 AD on 18 March 1944 for necessary repairs. Then Allotted to 2 AD on 17 April 1944 for report. It was issued to and received by 2 AD on 5 May 1944. It was allotted to 13 ARD on 7 September 1944, issued to 13 ARD on 8 September 1944 and received by 13 ARD on 11 September 1944. It states that it was involved in a non-operational collision on 21 October 1944 - not 20 October. An entry which is very hard to read, dated 23 October 1944, describes the damage as follows:-

It was the last Ventura II in service with the RAAF. It also spent some time with 34 Squadron and went to 2AD for storage. It went to D.A.P. on 19 May 1948 for disposal from 1AD at Laverton in Victoria. Disposal action was completed on 8 August 1949.

The top of the mast was shattered and steel fragments showered down upon iron roofs and pavements in the vicinity. The local Police Chief was not impressed as he occupied a room below the mast. Although the aircraft struck the mast with a propeller and an engine casing, the damage was minimal enough for it to continue flying and land at the Mackay Airfield. Three feet of the mast's 100 feet had been sheared off. Some of the flying steel pierced the new roof of the Town Hall. Workmen were called back to repair the roof.

Steel fragments also rained down on the yard of the Town Hall and the nearby street. Mr. J. Doyle was driving a baker's delivery van and was lucky to avoid the shank of iron that crashed down on to the roof of his van. Mrs. S. Press and Miss Mavis Knight, clerks in the American QM store opposite the Town Hall were fortunately standing in the doorway when a 7 lb lump of steel fell down beside them. A steel bolt landed as far away as Dr. Chenoweth's surgery and shattered one of his windows.

There were numerous casualty calls to persons who fainted when the crash occurred. Elderly residents and inmates of the nearby Mater Hospital, and sick persons in adjacent surgeries were deeply upset by the incident.

The damage to the aircraft was minimal considering the impact and the damage to the mast. Part of a propeller tip was broken off and the plating beneath one engine had sheared off.

Mr. M. Ryan of Mitchelmore's electrical staff and Mr. Jim Molloy climbed the beacon mast and made it safe as best they could.

There is a file in National Archives of Australia on the Court of Inquiry which was held after the incident. See NAA details below.

A district Court Martial was held at Townsville on 31 October 1944. F/Lt West was charged with three offences:-

F/Lt Bevan West was found guilty of all three charges and sentenced to be dismissed from His Majesty's Service and to pay Ł75:0:0 towards the damage caused. He was discharged from the RAAF effective 7 December 1944. Because of the nature of his discharge he was not paid War Gratuity.

Bevan West wrote a letter dated 2 January 1960 to the Secretary of the Department of Air at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne requesting an immediate review of his termination of his appointment as an officer of the Royal Australian Air Force. This followed him being advised that his application for a loan from the War Service Homes Division to purchase a home may not be approved due to the nature of his discharge from the RAAF.

"Ventura A59-14 - Court of Inquiry re collision with beacon tower at Mackay on 20/10/1944
NAA File Item Barcode 506297, Control Symbol 32/18/505, Series No. A705

"Lockheed Ventura in Australia : Deliveries - Uses - Fates"
Information compiled by Bert Cookson, Geoff Goodall and others
and edited for Newsletter by John Hopton.

NOTE:- The resource "Lockheed Ventura in Australia : Deliveries - Uses - Fates" indicates that this incident took place on 23 October 1944.

I'd like to thank Nev Allan from Mackay for his assistance with this home page. Nev has a copy of an official report on this incident which confirms that date as 20 October 1944.

I'd also like to thank Phil Herdman and Col Benson for their assistance with this web page.

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