Central

The twin engine aircraft landed hard, causing a wing to touch the ground and to be sheared off. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway and came to rest. All 15 occupants were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Christened 'The Flying Dutchman', the aircraft was flying from Port Moresby to Pongani on behalf of the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron's to deliver supplies and troops from the 32nd Infantry Division and the 126th Infantry Regiment. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the aircraft encountered severe downdrafts, lost altitude and hit the slope of Mt Obree, in the center of PNG. Of the twenty-three aboard, seventeen survived the crash. Many had serious injuries and burns, and died afterwards waiting for help. Eventually, some of the survivors found help and only six survived. The wreckage was rediscovered during an air search mission for a missing Piaggio on March 8, 1961. The airplane has the dual registration VH-CCU and 41-18564.
Crew:
2nd Lt George W. Vandervort, pilot, †
Cpt Theodore W. Barron, †
T/Sgt Stephen J. Pitch, flight engineer, †
Sgt George B. Kershner, radio operator.
Passengers:
Sgt James M. Verstay, †
Pvt Vernon R. Moak, †
Pvt Charles W. Raddatz, †
Pvt Charles I. Stokes, †
Pvt Margarito Padilla, †
Pvt Carlos D. Failin, †
Pfc Gerald M. Grove, †
Pfc Frank A. Thomas, Jr.,
Pvt Duane R. Butler,
Sgt Edward K. Holleman,
Pvt Floyd L. August,
Pvt John W. Mobley,
Tec Lawrence E. Peterson, †
Pvt John J. Bellus, †
Pfc Malvern E. Patton, †
Pvt Theodore Romero, †
Pfc William L. Smith, †
Pvt Martin J. Brandon, †
Pvt Antonio T. Montes. †

The crew was returning to his base in Port Moresby following a reconnaissance mission to locate Japanese ships off Lae. On the return trip, the captain was forced to attempt an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion. The twin engine aircraft crash landed near the Laloki River, in the region of Sogeri, and was damaged beyond repair. All eight occupants were unhurt and rescued.