3 October 1943 - Crash of a Boomerang into the sea in King Sound off Derby, in Western Australia

CRASH OF A BOOMERANG
INTO THE SEA IN KING SOUND
OFF DERBY, WA
3 OCTOBER 1943

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Boomerang

On 3 October 1943, Boomerang A46-61, CA-12 (CAC Constructor's No. 884) of 85 Squadron RAAF hit the water in King Sound off Derby while attempting to drop a message to the ship SS Koomilya. The aircraft was seen to get up a wobble during a turn and then crashed into the sea. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot P/O Brian Andrew Armstrong (423581) was killed. A46-61 had been originally delivered to the RAAF in March 1943. Neither the aircraft or the pilots body were recovered.

Boomerang A46-61 was involved in an earlier accident over Exmouth Gulf Station in Western Australia on 19 September 1943.

Australian War Memorial - Photo ID No 303514