West Kalimantan | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed Samarinda on an operation over the Tarakan area. Approaching the target area, it was shot down by a Japanese fighter and crash landed at Tarakan Airfield. There were no casualties among the crew.
Crew:
Ens H. G. Bouwers.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 in Ketapang

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Nederlandse Nieuw Guinea Petroleum Maatschappij (NNGPM)

Registration:

PK-AKU

Flight Phase:

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Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Darmo - Makassar

MSN:

6296

YOM:

1935

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Circumstances:

The pilot and his passenger, a photographer, were conducting a mapping mission over the West Kalimantan Region, Dutch Indies. En route, one of the engine failed. Both occupants tried to keep a safe altitude while throwing out all unnecessary items. Unfortunately, the pilot was unable to keep the altitude and attempted a forced landing on a beach near Ketapang. The twin engine aircraft lost its both wings and came to rest. Both occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.