On September 29, 1940, a Mid-Air Collision That Changed Aviation History
Imagine this scenario: Two planes, locked together mid-air, with the pilots bailing out and one of them managing to land safely. This isn’t just a movie plot; it’s real history! On September 29, 1940, two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Avro Ansons collided over Brocklesby, New South Wales, Australia.
These planes, N4876 and L9162, were both from the RAAF. The lower plane’s engines kept running, allowing its pilot to continue flying. But it was the upper plane’s pilot, Leonard Fuller, who showed extraordinary presence of mind by controlling the interlocked aircraft with his ailerons and flaps until he found a safe landing spot in a paddock 6 kilometers south-west of Brocklesby.
The Incident
Fuller was not just any pilot; he was a man of courage and determination. He did all that. There’s the farmhouse, and I did a couple of circuits and landed into the wind. She was pretty heavy on the controls, though! This statement from Fuller himself paints a vivid picture of his ordeal.
The Aftermath
Both planes were repaired; N4876 returned to flight service, while L9162 was used as an instructional airframe. The incident garnered worldwide news coverage and cast a spotlight on the small town of Brocklesby. It wasn’t just about the collision; it was about the heroism displayed by Fuller.
Consequences and Recognition
Fuller’s actions were not without consequences. He was promoted to sergeant but also confined to barracks for fourteen days and docked seven days’ pay for speaking about the incident to newspapers without authorization. However, his bravery did not go unnoticed; he received a commendation from the Australian Air Board for his ‘presence of mind, courage and determination in landing the locked Ansons without serious damage to the aircraft under difficult conditions.’
Post-War Life
After the war, Fuller saw active service first in the Middle East and then in Europe with No. 37 Squadron RAF. He earned the Distinguished Flying Medal for his actions over Palermo in March 1942. Commissioned later that year, he was posted back to Australia as a flying officer and became an instructor at No. 1 Operational Training Unit in Sale, Victoria.
A Tragic End
Tragically, Fuller’s life took a turn for the worse when he died near Sale on March 18, 1944, hit by a bus while riding his bicycle. His story is one of bravery and sacrifice, but also of human frailty.
Brocklesby’s Claim to Fame
According to the Greater Hume Shire Council, the 1940 mid-air collision remains Brocklesby’s ‘main claim to fame.’ Local residents commemorated the 50th anniversary of the event by erecting a marker near the site of the crash landing. It was unveiled by Tim Fischer, the Federal Member for Farrer and Leader of the National Party, on September 29, 1990.
Memorial
To honor this historic event, a memorial featuring an Avro Anson engine was opened during Brocklesby’s Australia Day celebrations on January 26, 2007. This monument serves as a reminder of the bravery and skill displayed by Leonard Fuller that day.
The story of the 1940 mid-air collision over Brocklesby is a testament to human resilience and courage. It reminds us that in moments of crisis, it’s not just about survival but also about making the right decisions under pressure. Leonard Fuller’s actions that day saved lives and property, and his legacy continues to inspire generations.
You want to know more about 1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision?
This page is based on the article 1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision published in Wikipedia (retrieved on November 28, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
