Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in Biak: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
17232
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
13594
YOM:
1944
Location:
Biak
Special Region of Papua
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
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.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL near Biak: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100728
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
19191
YOM:
1943
Location:
Biak
Special Region of Papua
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
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.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL in Irian Jaya: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1945 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-16230
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Merauke – Biak
MSN:
20696
YOM:
1944
Location:
Indonesia
All Indonesia
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on its way from Australia to Biak with an intermediate stop in Merauke. On board were three passengers returning from leave, four crew members and cargo consisting of fresh food. While cruising at an altitude of 12,000 feet in intermittent rains, the airplane hit the slope of a rocky mountain located in the Sudirman mountains. As the aircraft failed to arrive, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. A New Zealander explorer found the wreckage on March 2, 1962.
Crew (21st TCS):
1st Lt Thelbert Vernon Lair, pilot,
2nd Lt Christian J. Ludwig, copilot,
Cpl William O. Waldrop, flight engineer,
Sgt Edwin F. Wummer, radio operator.
Passengers:
Pfc Johnnie M. Ward,
S/Sgt Cecil F. Richardson,
S/Sgt John P. Skodis.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-6 in Papua New Guinea: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
17277
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Momote – Biak
MSN:
14335/25780
YOM:
1944
Location:
Papua New Guinea
All Papua New Guinea
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Lost without trace on a flight from Momote to Biak.

Crash of a Douglas C-54E-1-DO Skymaster in Lorangau: 21 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1945 at 2226 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
44-9043
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lorengau – Biak
MSN:
27269
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lorengau
Manus
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Lorengau Airport by night bound for Biak-Sorido. During the initial climb, the four engine aircraft crashed on a wooded hill located near the airfield and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 21 occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Rex S. Brown,
Cwo Russell T. Crawford,
Cpt William V. Mudra,
2nd Lt Paul L. Reinhold,
Cpt Frank E. Stewart,
1st Lt Delmar E. Wortman.
Probable cause:
According to the US Command, the accident was caused by a succession of omissions on part of the crew. After lift off, the captain made a premature turn to the right while climbing to a height of 500 feet. According to airport procedures, a turn to the right after rotation could be made only if the aircraft reached the minimum safe altitude of 1,000 feet and minimum 45 seconds after lift off, which was not the case presently. For reasons which could not be accurately determined, flaps were retracted prematurely, preventing the aircraft to gain height. The absence of sufficient visibility caused by night was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL off Biak: 20 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-16224
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Tacloban – Biak
MSN:
20690
YOM:
1944
Location:
Biak
Special Region of Papua
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
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.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Biak: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1945 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100479
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Biak – Peleliu
MSN:
18942
YOM:
1943
Location:
Biak
Special Region of Papua
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
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.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL into the Pacific Ocean: 16 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100461
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Biak – Pitu
MSN:
18924
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Biak-Mokmer Airport at 0505LT bound for Pitu Airfield, on Morotai Island (North Malukku). As the aircraft failed to arrive, SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the 16 occupants was ever found.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando in Irian Jaya: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-101046
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Biak - Hollandia
MSN:
30501
Location:
Indonesia
All Indonesia
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
En route, the crew was informed by ground about the deterioration of the weather conditions. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Iran Jaya. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress in New Guinea: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
41-2464
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lae – Tadji – Biak
MSN:
2275
YOM:
1941
Location:
Indonesia
All Indonesia
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'Queenie' left Lae-Nadzab Airport at 0641LT bound for Mokmer Aerodrome (Biak Island) with a en route stop at Tadji Airfield. The aircraft failed to arrive and no trace of it nor the 19 occupants was ever found.
Crew:
Lt Col Walter P. Piehl, pilot,
Maj Alan C. Attebery, copilot,
S/Sgt Cortez A. Beal, flight engineer,
S/Sgt Henry Y. Willis, radio operator,
T/Sgt Edgar W. Elseman, crew chief.
Passengers:
Major Robert H. Barnes,
Major Victor De F. Henriques,
Captain Russell G. Helmer,
Captain Fred J. Lewis,
Captain Paul V. McKnight,
Captain Wendell Root,
1st Lt Winton D. Witmer,
2nd Lt John C. Campbell,
2nd Lt. Roland J. Hickey,
WO Dawson L. Hutchison,
S/Sgt August J. Bachor,
Sgt William R. Ray,
Cpl Noel L. Lowe,
PFC Clyde H. Hopkins Jr.
Source: http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-2464.html
Probable cause:
The cause of the dissapearance was unknown, but was reported that it might be lost due to "possible enemy antiaircraft fire or navigational circumstance".
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