Crash of a Consolidated C-87-CF Liberator Express in Whenuapai: 16 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1943 at 0230 LT
Operator:
Registration:
41-24027
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Whenuapai – Brisbane
MSN:
822
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Captain / Total hours on type:
783.00
Circumstances:
United Airlines was performing this special flight from New Zealand to Brisbane on behalf of the US Consulate in order to rapatriate in Australia some Japanese and Thai refugees who should be swapped with US soldiers. Shortly after take off from runway 04 by night, the aircraft climbed in light rain and soft fog and went above the stratus layer when it banked left. It lost altitude, hit the ground at a speed of 200 knots, bounced twice and eventually crashed in a mangrove. On site, SAR could evacuate 16 injured persons while 14 other occupants were killed. A day later, two of the survivors died from their injuries. USAF confirmed that three of the crew and thirteen passengers were killed. All passengers were essentially women and children returnees.
Probable cause:
According to the USAF, pilots did not prepare the flight properly, did not follow the pre-departure check-list and made several mistakes during the climb procedure, causing the aircraft to adopt a wrong climb configuration. At the time of the accident, the crew members were tired as they accumulated 126 flying hours within the last 26 days, which was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III in Whenuapai: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2024
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Whenuapai - Whenuapai
MSN:
414-3837
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Whenuapai AFB, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed into the Waitemata harbor. Both crew members were killed.
Crew (1st Squadron):
P/O Ralph Benfield,
P/O Cyril Comrie.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Whenuapai: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2077
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Whenuapai - Whenuapai
MSN:
414-6695
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training mission in the vicinity of Whenuapai AFB. At the end of the program, the captain decided to overfly the airbase at low height. The twin engine aircraft was too low and hit a hangar before crashing into flames. All four crew members were killed but no one in the hangar was hurt.
Crew (1st Squadron):
F/L Graham Hamlin,
P/O Ian McGregor,
Cpl John Barraclough,
AC1 James Mitchell.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of the pilot being guilty of negligence and direct breach of discipline in carrying out aerobatic evolution at a height below the prescribed minimum.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress in Whenuapai: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1942 at 0130 LT
Operator:
Registration:
41-2667
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Whenuapai - Laverton
MSN:
2478
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Whenuapai AFB, in Auckland, while in initial climb by night, the four engine aircraft christened 'Texas Tornado' stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All eleven occupants were killed, among them an officer of the US Navy and an officer of the French Navy. The aircraft was on its way to RAAF Laverton, in Melbourne.
Crew (2nd Bomb Squadron):
Col Richard E. Cobb, pilot,
Cpt Joseph Bruce, copilot,
2nd Lt Edward H. Hoffman, navigator,
T/Sgt C. P. Brunson, wireless operator,
T/Sgt J. F. Lopez, flight engineer,
Sgt Harry Cohn, air gunner,
Cpl James Herriotts, air gunner,
Cpl John R. Clanton, air gunner,
Pvt Curtis L. Childers, air gunner.
Passengers:
Lt William E. Hurst, US Navy,
Cpt J. C. A. Gilbert, French Navy.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III near Helensville: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2020
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Whenuapai - Whenuapai
MSN:
414-3833
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Whenuapai Airport on a maritime patrol flight. While cruising at a height of 1,500 feet, the pilot-in-command initiated a left turn when the airplane stalled and crashed on a hill side near Helensville. The airplane was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Eric Holdaway,
Sgt George Eatorne,
Sgt Eric Eldershaw.
Probable cause:
According to the RNZAF, weather conditions at the time of the accident were poor with atmospheric turbulences. The assumption that an engine failed was not ruled out. Following this accident, all RNZAF Lockheed Hudson were grounded to check all ailerons control systems.