Crash of a Lockheed 14-WF62 Super Electra in Alice Springs

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-CXI
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Alice Springs - Adelaide
MSN:
1414
YOM:
0
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force with a crew of three en ten passengers on board. During the takeoff run, thw twin engine aircraft skidded on runway when the left main gear collapsed. Aircraft banked left, causing the left propeller to hit the ground and to be sheared off, hitting the nose of the airplane. While all 13 occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Captain John Robins, pilot,
Sergeant Ken Bird, copilot,
Sergeant Phoenix, radio operator.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Jacquinot Bay

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-34
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cairns - Cairns
MSN:
1044
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane took off from Cairns at 1040LT and proceeded to Milne Bay and landed to refuel then took off at 1600LT on a solo nuisance mission against Kavieng. At 2300LT, it reached the target area during a bright moonlite night at an altitude of 9,000 feet. Over Panapai Airfield but did not drop any bombs and received light anti-aircraft fire. During a second bomb run, it dropped two 250 lbs bombs and numerous incendiaries and photographs were taken, and heavy anti-aircraft fire was received but not accurate. Ships in Kavieng harbor opened fire with intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire aimed at this Catalina. Over Kavieng Airfield, made a third bomb run dropping two 500 lbs bombs and photographs were taken. The flying boat received intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire that required evasive maneuvers. At approximately 2350LT on an mission to attack Kavieng, a parachute flare inside this PBY ignited prematurely while its altitude setting ring was being adjusted. In order to prevent premature detonation of other ordnance or mid-air structural failure from fire, the Catalina ditched into Jacquinot Bay. The crew swam to shore in the vicinity of Malakua. The aircraft was lost.

Source: http://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 off Telin Island: 22 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
12434
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
9617
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Talina Island (Telin Island), while climbing, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea, few yards off shore. All 22 occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide near Cape Sidmouth

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ADE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Melbourne - Cairns
MSN:
6341
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. Aircraft ended up on a beach located 13 miles south of Cape Sidmouth, near the Princess Charlotte Bay. The crew of a RAAF Catalina spotted the aircraft a day later and was able to land and to evacuate all six occupants uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Luganville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08386
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1310
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff with depth charges and exploded.

Crash of a Short S.33 Empire Flying Boat off Sydney

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ACD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sydney - Sydney
MSN:
S.1025
YOM:
9
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight around Sydney. While landing in the Rose Bay, off Sydney, the aircraft christened 'Clifton' landed hard and came to rest. Both occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair due to a hole in the hull and the left leading edge flap.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura off Cape Queiros: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1944 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4520
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Guadalcanal - Luganville
MSN:
5533
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While approaching Vanuatu in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Cape Queiros. On site, no survivor was found.
Crew:
Flight Lieutenant Peter Wood,
Pilot Officer Francis Baird,
Flight Sergeant Robert Carter,
Sergeant Thomas Murray,
Flight Sergeant Brian Vesty,
Corporal Edward Ayrey,
Leading Aircraftman Raymond Goff.
Probable cause:
According to officials, an engine was on fire on approach when crew lost control of the aircraft in poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL in Luganville

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
42-23722
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
9584
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft bell landed for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DL on Mt Victoria: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
42-23500
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dobodura – Port Moresby
MSN:
9362
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Dobodura-North Borio Airfield at 1451LT but failed to arrive in Port Moresby-Wards Airport. SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was spotted on January 12, 1944, on the slope of Mt Victoria located in the Owen Stanley Range. Unfortunately, it was impossible for a rescue team to reach the site due to the difficult terrain.
Crew:
S/Sgt Benton D. Campbell,
1st Lt Gale J. Chase,
S/Sgt Joseph C. Draper,
1st Lt Frank C. Gecan,
Cpl Joseph J. Ransdell,
Cpl Everett F. Rogers.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Wigram AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1943 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1383
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the crew made a steep turn to the left when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Both pilots were killed. They were performing a training mission.
Crew (1st ATS):
F/Sgt Douglas McDougall,
Marion Young.