Special Region of Papua

Shortly after takeoff from the bay of Serui, the seaplane crashed into the sea. Three crew members were killed while four others were injured.

While landing off Wundi Island, the seaplane hit a reef and sank. There were no casualties but the aircraft was lost.

While cruising in low visibility at an altitude of 14,200 feet, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Carstensz Mountain Range. As it failed to arrive in Townsville, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The missionary Jerry Reeder discovered the wreckage with his Cessna 206 in June 1967. He had rented a vacant house to the DeLong Lumber Company that was doing a hardwood lumber survey in the area. Their superintendent, Mike Cramer, upon hearing about his discovery of a downed aircraft immediately made their Bell Jet-Ranger helicopter available to visit the site. The first attempt had to be aborted due to weather and a partial engine failure. They nearly crashed twice. But the next day they were able to spend two hours on the ground. They gathered three sets of dog tags and the pilot\\\\\\'s chart case which were turned into to the Australian Embassy in Singapore a month later. On December 10, 1970, walkers found the wreckage on the slope of a mountain located near Mt Puncak Jaya, southwest of Mulia, some 100 feet from the summit. It was later decided between Indonesian and Australian authorities to repatriate all remains back to Australia. This exercise was completed from May 23 to June 6, 2005.
Crew (33rd Squadron):
W/O Arthur Jack Hunter, pilot,
W/O Albert Clifford Hughes, copilot,
F/Sgt Kenneth Robert Wiles, wireless operator,
W/O Eric Wilkinson, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Allan George Sawrey,
Sgt Francis Leonard Henry Blackmore.
Passengers:
W/O Allan Campbell,
LAC William Royce Dunderdale,
F/O Noel Royce Stibbard,
Sister Marie Eileen Craig,
Pvt Keith John Bowden,
Pvt Laurie Anthony Coombe,
George Phillip Duffy,
Trevor John Eiszele,
Pvt Mervyn John Ford,
Sgt Arthur John Hyde,
Frederick Joseph Ireland,
Lt Alun Morris Jones,
Pvt Arthur Trevor Jorgensen,
James Francis MacDougall,
Ronald Leslie Mathieson,
Jonathan Matthews,
Pvt John McAlorum,
Pvt Ian Scott McDowall,
Pvt Leonard Thomas Oakley,
Pvt Ian Thomas Ray,
Pvt Donald William Smith,
Pvt James Ivan Tindall,
Cpl George John Welch.

Thanks to Jerry Reeder for his testimony.

Thew aircraft failed to return from flight to Biak. There was no communication from the aircraft and it was not located despite a 3 day intensive search. As Dean Norman notes "After the successful landings at Balikpapan, Borneo by the Allied forces Sepinggang airfield was soon ready to take Allied aircraft and was also to become the new home to 2nd Squadron. 2 Squadron's move from Hughes airstrip began on this day when a flight of six Mitchell's, led by F/Lt Neil Sharpe, departed for Sepinggang airfield and were to fly via Biak and Pitu. During the approach to the New Guinea coast on the first leg the formation encountered low cloud and F/Lt Sharpe descended to 3,000 feet. He also noted that F/Lt White turn away, to the right before disappearing behind cloud. F/Lt Sharpe then dropped to 1,000 feet and radioed the formation that he was going to fly below the cloud and upon reaching the coast would orbit and wait for the remaining aircraft. Arriving over the coast F/Lt Sharpe realized that two aircraft, which had broken formation were no longer with them. Arriving at Mokmer, Biak one of the missing aircraft soon landed but A47-37 was not seen again. Despite a search for the aircraft and crew it was many years later that the wreckage would be located in Dutch New Guinea (PNG). The war ended the very next day".
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/Lt Edward M. White,
F/O A. K. Morrell,
F/Sgt B. M. O'Brien,
F/Sgt R. A. MacGregor,
Cpl W. J. C. Maxwell,
LAC I. S. Coleman,
LAC B. A. Marshall,
LAC V. A. Morgan.
Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

While cruising by night, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located near Biak, killing all five crew members.
Crew:
Lt William Westervelt 4.

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a dense wooded area located in the region of Biak. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (57th TCS):
2nd Lt Thomas Fletcher, pilot,
Robert McDowell, copilot,
1st Lt Carl F. Copeland,
Sgt Charles A. Donnelly,
T/Sgt James E. Wilson.

While descending to Biak Island while on a flight from Tacloban, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea, killing all 20 occupants.
Crew:
Pfc Conrad W. Andrews,
Sgt Oscar Arnold,
S/Sgt Howard E. Burlew Sr.,
2nd Lt Robert C. Greenmeyer,
Pfc Albert P. Herbst,
Cpt Edward D. Hirst,
S/Sgt Kendric L. Johnson,
2nd Lt Clarence M. Lindquist,
T/Sgt John F. Lisowski,
1st Lt Robert Marpet,
1st Lt Harold R. McMillan,
S/Sgt John A. Moore,
S/Sgt Henry C. Ousley Jr.,
1st Lt Horace V. Petty,
Cpl George R. Powell,
Pfc Sylvester J. Raba,
S/Sgt Bert J. Shelata Jr.,
Sgt John F. Stucky,
T/Sgt George G. Sullivan,
T/Sgt Judd N. Wommack.

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.

Shortly after take off from Biak-Boroke Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot made a turn to the right when control was lost. The aircraft crashed in a swampy area located north of the airfield. The wreckage was found on March 11, 1945 only, and all 5 occupants were killed. For unknown reason, the crew attempted a turn to the right instead off left with a ceiling at 1,000 feet.
Crew (375th TCG):
2nd Lt Thomas H. Fletcher,
2nd Lt Robert W. McDowell,
2nd Lt Carl F. Copeland,
Sgt Charlie A. Donnelly,
T/Sgt James E. Wilson.

The airplane departed Horn Island on a flight to Merauke (Augustus Field), Papua, carrying four crew members. While about 30 km from the destination, flying over a convoy at an altitude of 1,200 feet, the right engine failed. The crew continued the flight on one engine but due to the presence of several vehicles on the runway, including a water truck, the landing was made halfway down on the last 500 metres. The airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and crashed in a pile of debris, causing the undercarriage to collapse. All four crew members escaped unhurt and the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
W/O Thomas Cecil Kitchen, pilot,
Sgt Robert Edward Anderson, observer,
Sgt John Richard Wylie,
Sgt Maurice Ryan Hunter.