Crash of a Tugan LJW7 Gannet off Exmouth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1944 at 0519 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A14-4
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Exmouth - Argyle Downs
MSN:
TA-58
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Exmouth Airport in the early morning on an urgent medevac flight to Argyle Downs, in the northeast of Western Australia. On board were two crew members and one doctor. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing at night and in heavy mist, the pilot lost his orientation and the airplane crashed into the sea. The wreckage was found one mile from the airfield and about 50 yards out to sea. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O Gordon Edward Dix, pilot,
Sgt Norman Catton, mechanic.
Passenger:
S/Ldr John Clive Sangster, doctor.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Exmouth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2407
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Exmouth - Exmouth
MSN:
223
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered a loss of oil pressure and a high oil temperature on the port engine. It was decided to return to Exmouth. A normal full stall landing was made, but near the end of the landing run, the plane hit large wave, causing it to bounce into the air and on the subsequent landing large quantities of water entered the plane through the bombing window position in the bow. The airplane sank in shallow water (5 metres) and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot was killed and eight other crew members were rescued.
Crew:
Lt Roy John Krough, pilot, †
Lt(jg) Charles O. Peters,
Lt(jg) Maurice K. Hill,
Ap1c David T. Harvey,
Amm1c Rudolph F. Wimmer,
Amm3c Tommy A. Maestas,
Acrm Lindsey B. Wells,
Rm2c Matthew A. Fay,
Aom1c Darrell D. Mitchel.
Probable cause:
Loss of oil pressure and a high oil temperature on the port engine and subsequent collision with large wave upon landing off Exmouth.