The preceding day The Advertiser reported a slight accident to the aeroplane. There was a mis-firing of the engine and oil sprayed into the pilot's face. This he said was 'due to too great air pressure being applied to the bottom petrol tank'. This and some small damage to a wing stay were repaired later that day.

The accident on Thursday that resulted in irreparable damage to the aeroplane was, said Pilot Watkins because 'the wind came in little gusts and did not give the machine a chance to recover itself.' An eyewitness agreed saying the plane was 'tipping from one side to the other slightly, as if the wind was getting under the wings ...'. Another said the accident would not have occurred if the plane had been 10 feet higher.

The plane's fuselage was taken to the Antarctic by Mawson for use as an air sledge. This was not particularly successful despite the engineering skills of Frank Bickerton. Lieutenant Watkins did not accompany the expedition south.