Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder in Nadi

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-17576
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nadi - Nadi
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Nadi-Narewa Field on an operation to the Hebrides Islands. After takeoff, one of the engine failed. The airplane lost height, hit a palm tree and crashed, coming to rest broken in three. All four crew members were injured.
Crew:
2nd Lt Edward H. Morrison, pilot,
2nd Lt Kipp, copilot,
2nd Lt John K. Burns, navigator,
Cpl George T. McGraw, radio operator.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder in Nadi

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-17574
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed upon landing at Narewa Field and was destroyed. All six crew members escaped with various injuries.

Crash of a Martin B-26B Marauder off Tai Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-17590
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While cruising off Nadi, the airplane collided in midair with a P-39 and crashed into the sea off Tai Island. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Merlin C. Douglass,
2nd Lt Charles S. Drewyour,
Pvt Jack J. Howard,
1st Lt Thomas O'Connor,
1st Lt Richard T. Otis,
S/Sgt Coleman D. Ramsey,
Pfc Howard G. Spencer.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III in Nadi

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2018
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
414-3831
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Nadi Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and crashed. There were no casualties and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth off Nadi: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ522
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nadi - Nadi
MSN:
NZ-1
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While performing a training flight at a height of 2,000 feet, the crew lost control of the aircraft that dove and crashed into the sea, few hundred yards off shore. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
According to the RNZAF, the crew was performing a training flight with another DH.60. Both crews were testing a machine gun and it is possible that the crew of NZ522 was shot by mistake.