Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 on San Cristobal Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
12405
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
9177
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Hit a mountain slope on San Cristobal Island, killing all 10 crew members.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III off Vella Lavella Island: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2021
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
414-3834
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising along the Vella Lavella Island, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the pilots of eight Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea. Crew abandoned the sinking aircraft but were strafed by enemy fighters. Four of them were killed while the air gunner was able to reach the shore.
Crew (3rd Squadron):
F/Lt William Allison, †
P/O Frank Kerr, †
Sgt Ronald Douglas, †
Sgt James Johnstone, †
Sgt Trevor Ganley.
Probable cause:
Shot down by 8 Japanese fighters.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Vella Lavella Island

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1943 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08051
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Honiara - Honiara
MSN:
0870
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane left Honiara-Henderson Field at 1900LT on July 16 for a 12 hours anti-submarine mission. By night, while cruising along the Vella LaVella Island, the left engine caught fire. The captain attempted to ditch the aircraft few hundred yards off shore but the aircraft crash landed and sank immediately. All 13 crew members were rescued.
Crew:
Lt James W. Anderson, pilot 12.
Source: http://www.vpnavy.com/vp54_mishap.html
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Tulagi: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08246
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Tulagi harbor, killing all seven crew members.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III off Guadalcanal Island: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2033
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
414-3856
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While flying along the coast of the Guadalcanal Island, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (3rd Squadron):
F/Lt Wilfred Rutherford,
F/O Vivian Eady,
Sgt Lisle Smith,
Sgt William Lankshear,
Sgt John McDougall.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Guadalcanal Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
04403
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Honiara - Honiara
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While performing a maritime patrol flight off the Guadalcanal Island, the seaplane crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances. No trace of the aircraft nor the 12 crew members was ever found.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Honiara

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2041
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
414-6439
YOM:
1942
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Honiara-Henderson Field, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and crashed into a ditch. All occupants escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Honiara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1943 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2061
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
414-6507
YOM:
1942
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Honiara Airport, a tyre burst. The twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and crashed into a ravine, bursting into flames. Bombs stored in the cargo bay exploded and the airplane was totally destroyed. Two crew members were killed and three others were seriously injured.
Crew (3rd Squadron):
F/O Nelson Warner, †
F/Sgt John Jerrat, †
F/L K. King,
Sgt H. Baker,
Sgt B. Dillner.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during the takeoff roll after a tyre burst.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Gavutu Island

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08136
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gavutu – Luganville
MSN:
1030
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a combat mission over the Gavutu Island, the seaplane was returning to its base in Luganville with 10 passengers and five crew members on board. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot initiated a sharp turn when both engines stopped. He attempted an emergency landing but the seaplane hit the water surface 1,2 km offshore and came to rest. All 15 occupants evacuate and were rescued while the airplane sank by a depth of 20 metres and was lost.
Crew (VP-44):
Lt Jarlath J. Lyons +4.
Probable cause:
Both engines failed during a sharp turn after water in the fuel tanks was sucked into the carburetors.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress off Pavuvu Island

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
41-9216
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2688
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Ditched into the sea off Pavuvu Island and lost. All crew members were rescued.