ANA Lutana Memorial

The ANA Lutana plane crash is a significant event in Nundle’s history. Descendants of the 13 plane crash victims and the rescue crew continue to remember this significant event, and the many twists of fate of the people involved. ANA Lutana, its 10 passengers and three crew, were lost on September 2, 1948 after the plane crashed on Mount Crawney, south of Nundle. There is a memorial to the Lutana crash, a propeller, mounted in Jenkins Street. There is also information on the crash, that involved many Nundle residents in the rescue party, at the Nundle Court House Museum (open Saturday 10-11.30am and Sunday 12.30-4pm, small entry cost). The crash led to major changes to Australian aviation air traffic control.

On the 70th anniversary of the Lutana crash in 2018, descendants of those lost, as well as relatives of the rescue party, gathered at a dinner at The Peel Inn. There was a ceremony to rededicate the mass grave at Tamworth City Cemetery and unveil a new plaque. There was also a new plaque placed on the grave of Mrs M McIntyre MLC by her family.