Gurney | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed Gurney Airport at 0800LT with four passengers and one pilot on board. About 10 minutes later, while overflying a ridge, the pilot encountered downdrafts. The airplane collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area located 10 km northeast of the departure point. The pilot and a passengers was killed while three other occupants were injured.
Crew:
F/O William Robert Edward Alexander, pilot.
Passengers:
Col R. Lee,
Col Andrew Thompson MacLean,
Maj Whitcombe,
M/Sgt William Randolph George.

Probable cause:

Atmospheric turbulence.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Gurney

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

40-1446

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

1446

YOM:

1940

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing an armed reconnaissance mission over the Solomon Sea. While returning to base, the right engine caught fire. The pilot diverted to Gurney Airfield where the airplane crashed upon landing after the right main landing gear collapsed. All eight crew members escaped unhurt.
Crew:
1st Lt John T. Watkins Jr, pilot +7.

Probable cause:

Fire of the right engine in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort V off Cape Vogel

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 152 Beaufort

Operator:

Registration:

A9-2

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Gurney - Gurney

MSN:

YOM:

1941

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane crashed into the sea off Cape Vogel and was damaged beyond repair. All four crew members reached the shore safely.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA near Alotau: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-246

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Gurney - Gurney

MSN:

414-6499

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Gurney Airfield at 0730LT on a reconnaissance mission east of Milne Bay. It failed to return to base and is believed to have crashed somewhere in the Gurney - Alotau area. No trace of the airplane nor the crew was found.
Crew (6th Squadron):
F/O D. L. Gorringe,
F/O G. D. Hum,
Sgt C. L. McCready,
Sgt J. C. McAuliffe.