James Valentine Fairbairn ( 28 July 1897 – 13 August 1940 ) was an Australian politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1933 until his death in 1940 , representing the United Australia Party . He served as Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation in the first Menzies Government . He was killed in the 1940 Canberra air disaster , along with two of his cabinet colleagues
1940 Canberra air disaster
1940 Canberra air disaster
James Fairbairn