Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Pekanbaru: 14 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1981
Operator:
Registration:
PK-OBK
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Singapore - Pekanbaru
MSN:
12209
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a charter flight from Singapore to Pekanbaru, carrying four crew members and 13 employees from the Hudbay Oil Company. On final approach, the right engine failed. The airplane lost power and crashed about 2 km short of runway threshold. Three passengers were seriously injured while 14 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine on final approach for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 in Tegal: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PEH
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Singapore - Jakarta
MSN:
43126/132
YOM:
1948
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Approximately four hours after his departure from Singapore on a charter flight to Jakarta, the captain realized he was not on the correct route and was lost. As he was short of fuel, he reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a prairie located near Tegal, some 260 km southeast of the intended destination. A pilot and five passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew lost his orientation in flight, probably due to a faulty compass reading on part of the crew or a possible technical problem with the compass. An emergency landing was necessary due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.95 Hastings C.3 in Darwin

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1955
Operator:
Registration:
NZ5804
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Darwin – Singapore
MSN:
150
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Darwin Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft suffered a bird strike. As an engine lost power, the aircraft stalled and crashed past the runway end. All 25 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by a bird strike after takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK Dakota C.4 into the China Sea: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1950
Operator:
Registration:
KN240
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Singapore – Hong Kong – Saigon
MSN:
15664/27109
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route from Singapore to Hong Kong, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the China Sea. A crew member was rescued while nine other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK in Yogyakarta: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1947
Registration:
VT-CLA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Singapore - Yogyakarta
MSN:
15471/26916
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a humanitarian flight from Singapore on behalf of the Indonesian Red Cross with drugs on board. On final approach to Yogyakarta-Maguwo Airport, the Dakota was shot down by the pilots of two NEIAF (Netherlands East Indies Air Force) fighters and crashed in an open field located few km from the airport. All five occupants were killed. Indonesian authorities confirmed that the aircraft was flying under civilian color scheme but did not have any Red Cross painted on its fuselage. So it is most probable that the fighters' pilots mistook the aircraft and thought it was a military plane carrying soldiers. Both pilots were Australian citizens as all three passengers were high ranking Indonesian Army Officers. Still registered in India, the aircraft was offered few days ago to the Indonesian government by Jawaharlal Nehru, future Indian Prime Minister. Following this tragedy, Indonesian Authorities will rename the airport of Yogyakarta that became Adisutjipto instead of Maguwo.
Crew:
A. N. Constantine, pilot,
R. Hazlehurst, copilot,
B. Ram, flight engineer,
A. Q. Wirjokoesoemo, radio navigator.
Passengers:
Agustinus Adisutjipto,
Abdulrahman Saleh,
Adisumarmo Wirjokusumo.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilots of two ML-KNIL (Royal Dutch Indies Air Force) Curtiss P-40 fighter.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK Dakota C.4 into the China Sea: 12 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1947
Operator:
Registration:
KK120
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Singapore – Saigon
MSN:
14129/26574
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Crashed into the China Sea while enroute from Singapore to Saigon. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 12 occupants was found. The exact cause and circumstances of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the British Authorities reported that weather conditions were poor at the time of the accident, with turbulence. Among the occupants was the Brigadier James Hill Alms.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK Dakota IV in Hong Kong: 19 killed

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1946 at 0931 LT
Operator:
Registration:
KN414
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hong Kong – Singapore
MSN:
16091/32839
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 31, while climbing to a height of some 700-800 feet, the aircraft stalled, went into a dive and crashed 3 km northwest of the airfield. All 19 occupants were killed.
Crew (110th Squadron):
W/O Alastair Christie, pilot,
W/O Rex Neville Blackmore, copilot,
F/Sgt John Kendall Hazeldine, pilot,
F/Sgt John Wilfred Holden, navigator,
F/Sgt Richard Samuel Bond, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
It is possible that the loss of control in initial climb may have been caused by katabatic winds from the local mountains.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK Dakota IV in Singapore

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1946
Operator:
Registration:
KN614
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
16513/33261
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An engine failed during the takeoff roll. As the aircraft skidded on runway and was unable to stop or to rotate, the crew decided to raise the undercarriage. The aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL near Beruas: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
43-16261
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Singapore – Butterworth
MSN:
20727
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 600 meters, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a dense wooded area. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was discovered by walkers in June 1985 in an isolated area.
Crew:
F/O Judson B. Baskett,
Pfc Donald E. Jones,
1st Lt William H. Myers.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland V in Tuas: 22 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NJ277
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Singapore - London
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Singapore, while climbing, the seaplane hit a hill in Tuas and was destroyed. All 22 occupants were killed, among them 17 wounded soldiers flying back home.