Merauke

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck Mt Puncak Jaya (4,160 meters high) located in Papua. As the airplane failed to arrive at Biak Airport, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 8 crew members was found. The wreckage was located in 1969 on the south slope of the mountain.

Crashed on a beach located 30 km northwest of Merauke while completing a coast survey flight. Three occupants were killed and a fourth was injured.

Shortly after takeoff from Merauke-Mopah Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane clip trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. A crew member was rescued while nine others were killed.

The aircraft was on its way from Australia to Biak with an intermediate stop in Merauke. On board were three passengers returning from leave, four crew members and cargo consisting of fresh food. While cruising at an altitude of 12,000 feet in intermittent rains, the airplane hit the slope of a rocky mountain located in the Sudirman mountains. As the aircraft failed to arrive, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. A New Zealander explorer found the wreckage on March 2, 1962.
Crew (21st TCS):
1st Lt Thelbert Vernon Lair, pilot,
2nd Lt Christian J. Ludwig, copilot,
Cpl William O. Waldrop, flight engineer,
Sgt Edwin F. Wummer, radio operator.
Passengers:
Pfc Johnnie M. Ward,
S/Sgt Cecil F. Richardson,
S/Sgt John P. Skodis.

During takeoff roll, a tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

The last radio contact was recorded some 15 minutes prior to the ETA at Cairns Airport. While descending, the twin engine aircraft hit a hill and crashed in the Daintree National Park, near Mossman, some 65 km northwest of Cairns. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 20 occupants was found. Eventually, the wreckage was found in January 1989 in an isolated and mountainous area. All 20 occupants were killed, among them two civilians.
Crew:
1st Lt H. J. H. Daanen, pilot,
Sgt W. A. Torn, copilot,
Sgt E. Kerdijk, wireless operator,
Sgt J. F. Damwijk, flight engineer.
Passengers:
1st Lt R. T. H. Braakensiek,
H. P. Levy,
B. van Aken,
O. Leyding,
R. J. Salm,
J. S. Zwart,
Sgt A. C. Scholte,
Sgt M. Boogerman,
M. J. Straub,
S/L Leslie Roy Dawson,
Lt Horace William Hammond Armstrong,
2nd Lt J. R. L. Lebeu,
2nd Lt R. E. J. Boereboom,
2nd Lt S. Jacob,
Mrs Waas,
Mrs Wakemaw.