Country
code

Western Australia

Crash of a Consolidated B-24L-5-CO Liberator off Truscott AFB: 12 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1945 at 0713 LT
Operator:
Registration:
A72-80
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Truscott - Truscott
MSN:
5386
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The heavy bomber left Truscott AFB at 0650LT on a bombing mission over Bali and Lombok. Shortly after takeoff, the crew contacted the tower to inform that he encountered problems to gain height. Several distress calls were sent and 23 minutes later, the aircraft crashed into the Vansittart Bay, off Truscott. All 12 crew members were killed and only three bodies were found.
Crew (24th Squadron):
S/L N. H. Straus, pilot,
F/Sgt Boyd, copilot,
F/Sgt R. M. Morris, flight engineer,
F/Lt C. D. Parry-Okenden, navigator,
F/O R. A. Whiting, navigator,
F/O J. W. Hursthouse, wireless operator and air gunner,
W/O W. R. Flanagan, wireless operator and air gunner,
W/O H. G. Parker, air gunner,
F/Sgt J. R. Ryan, air gunner,
F/Sgt A. J. Rogers, air gunner,
Sgt A. D. Whitehead, air gunner,
Cpl D. W. Madden.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24L-10-CO Liberator in Cunderdin: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1945 at 0604 LT
Operator:
Registration:
A72-124
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cunderdin - Cunderdin
MSN:
5593
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cunderdin Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft reached the altitude of 30 feet when it drop back to the ground. It hit the ground 3 times and skidded through a fence about 800 feet from the end of the strip and exploded. Five crew members were killed while six others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The cause of the crash was unknown although one private theory was that the squadron had an absolute minimum of training flights.
Crew (25th Squadron):
F/O Francis Leo Hannah, pilot,
F/Sgt Francis Gregory Coman, copilot,
F/O Claremont Logie Taylor, navigator,
Sgt Bernard McTernan, flight engineer,
Sgt Francis Joseph Naughton, air gunner, †
Sgt Roy Higginbottom, air gunner, †
Sgt Kenneth William Uhr, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt Charles Ronald Taylor, wireless operator and air gunner, †
F/Sgt Brian John Troy Johnson, bombardier, †
Sgt George Keith Leroy, air gunner,
F/Sgt Campbell Edward Earle Verey, wireless operator and air gunner.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/wa07.htm

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Broome

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-76
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Broome – Darwin
MSN:
1661
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on an early morning departure from Broome on behalf of the 43rd squadron. No casualties.

Crash of a Tugan LJW7 Gannet off Exmouth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1944 at 0519 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A14-4
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Exmouth - Argyle Downs
MSN:
TA-58
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Exmouth Airport in the early morning on an urgent medevac flight to Argyle Downs, in the northeast of Western Australia. On board were two crew members and one doctor. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing at night and in heavy mist, the pilot lost his orientation and the airplane crashed into the sea. The wreckage was found one mile from the airfield and about 50 yards out to sea. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O Gordon Edward Dix, pilot,
Sgt Norman Catton, mechanic.
Passenger:
S/Ldr John Clive Sangster, doctor.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina into the Exmouth Gulf: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08294
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Exmouth Gulf, killing four crew members and injuring four others.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Exmouth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2407
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The flying boat hit a large wave and large quantities of water entered the plane through the bombing window position in the bow. The aircraft sank in 18 feet of water and was lost. The captain was killed while eight other occupants were injured.
Source: ASN

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson in Clackline: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1942 at 0042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
W2262
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pearce - Pearce
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training flight on behalf of the 68th Reserve's Squadron based in Geraldton. Shortly after take off from Pearce AFB, near Perth, the crew followed a 111° heading for twenty minutes and turn back to Pearce AFB. While performing a left turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a prairie. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Geraldton

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2409
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The seaplane landed hard off Geraldton, took water and was later brought to the shore where it struck rocks and was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was heavy loaded (some 30,000 pounds). All seven crew members were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Heavy landing.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-194B near Carnot Peak: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1942 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-AFV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jakarta – Kupang – Darwin – Wyndham – Broome – Port Hedland – Perth
MSN:
1965
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route to Broome, the airplane was shot down by a Japanese fighter (Mitsubishi Zero). The crew reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing in a field located near Carnot Peak, west of Beagle Bay. Three passengers and a crew member were killed while eight other occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84A Dragon I in Wyndham

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1942 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A34-9
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Darwin - Wyndham - Perth
MSN:
6045
YOM:
1933
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Darwin on a special flight to Perth, carrying evacuees, and a stop was scheduled at Wyndham Airport. Upon landing at Wyndham Airfield, the airplane was attacked by a Japanese fighter. All six occupants evacuated the airplane and were slightly injured. The airplane continued on down the runway now ablaze from the strafing and came to a stop, bursting into flames.
Crew:
F/Lt Warwick, pilot.
Probable cause:
Attacked by a Japanese fighter.