Temora’s first aircraft tragedy– The crash of the “Lovebird” 1931

📷: SLNSW- At Work and Play – 028943 June 1932; Stan Mc Masters; Temora Aviation Museum, TAM2016.8

Temora’s first aircraft tragedy– The crash of the “Lovebird” 1931

On 14 July 1931 the ultralight ANEC III biplane crashed in Camp St, Temora. En route from Sydney to Melbourne the aircraft appeared to lose control, dove ‘straight downwards’, hit the earth and burst into flames. Both the pilot J. Geddes and aircraft mechanic Thornton Rust were killed on impact. Hundreds of locals rushed to the scene and a few braved the blaze in an attempt to rescue the men.

Sadly Temora has been rocked by aviation tragedy on several occasions since.

Submitted by Anna Gebels