Giru | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was involved in a combined training exercise with a second RAAF Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA registered A16-191 and carrying a crew of four as well. While cruising in the vicinity of Giru, both aircraft collided in unclear circumstances. The A16-191 crashed in a dense mangrove and all four crew members were killed. The pilot of A16-194 was able to complete an emergency landing between Barrattas and Barramundi Creek. While the aircraft was destroyed, three crew members were injured while the fourth occupant was killed.
Crew (32nd Squadron):
P/O L. Haliday, pilot 2,
Sgt Lancel Badman. †

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA near Giru: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-191

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Giru - Giru

MSN:

414-6356

YOM:

1941

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Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

The crew was involved in a combined training exercise with a second RAAF Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA registered A16-194 and carrying a crew of four as well. While cruising in the vicinity of Giru, both aircraft collided in unclear circumstances. The A16-191 crashed in a dense mangrove and all four crew members were killed. The pilot of A16-194 was able to complete an emergency landing between Barrattas and Barramundi Creek. While the aircraft was destroyed, three crew members were injured while the fourth occupant was killed.
Crew (32nd Squadron):
Sgt M. W. Cooper, pilot,
Sgt H. T. Gillam, copilot,
Sgt J. A. Herman, wireless operator and air gunner,
P/O John L. Jewell, air gunner.