Zone
Morobe

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator in Kaiapit: 10 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-40525
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
MSN:
1602
Location:
Kaiapit
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a bombing mission over Sarmi and departed Lae-Nadzab Airport late following unknown technical problems. After take off, the crew tried to join the formation without success. The bomber christened 'Toughy' crashed in unknown circumstances at an altitude of 2,000 feet in an isolated area located near Kaiapit, some 8 km northwest of Lae Airport. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. Eventually, the wreckage was found in 1973.
Crew:
1st Lt John E. Terpning, pilot,
2nd Lt William R. Parkinson, copilot,
2nd Lt Kermit H. Kinne, bombardier,
2nd Lt George S. Silverman, navigator,
T/Sgt Sidney H. Branch, engineer,
S/Sgt James M. McKain, radio,
S/Sgt Earl R. Pearson, gunner,
S/Sgt Raymond "Ray" E. Thompson, engineer,
Sgt Richard F. Dixon, radio,
Sgt Michael E. Drucker, gunner.

Crash of a North American B-25D-10 Mitchell in Saidor: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-30337
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
MSN:
87-8502
Location:
Saidor
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising at low height in poor weather conditions in the region of Saidor, the aircraft collided with a USAAF Lockheed F-5A Lightning registered 42-67350 and crashed. Four crew were killed while two others were injured. The fate of the second aircraft and its crew remains unknown.

Crash of a North American B-25D-5 Mitchell off Kar Kar Island

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
41-30020
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
MSN:
87-8185
Location:
Kar Kar Island
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, an engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft into the Bismarck sea, east of the Kar Kar Island. While the aircraft was lost, all six occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas A-20G-30-DO Havoc off PNG: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston
Operator:
Registration:
43-9488
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
Location:
Papua New Guinea
All Papua New Guinea
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Ditched into the sea off PNG. A crew member was rescued while both other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-170-CO Liberator in PNG: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-72946
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
MSN:
2516
Location:
Papua New Guinea
All Papua New Guinea
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft disappeared in PNG without trace. All ten occupants were considered as deceased. The wreckage was eventually spotted in 2002.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24J-80-CO Liberator PNG: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-100225
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
MSN:
3374
Location:
Papua New Guinea
All Papua New Guinea
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft disappeared in PNG without trace. All eleven occupants were considered as deceased. The wreckage was eventually spotted in 2002.

Crash of a Douglas A-20G-30-DO Havoc in Wabusarik

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston
Operator:
Registration:
43-9628
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
Location:
Wabusarik
Madang
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Wabusarik, Madang Province. While all three occupants were rescued, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24J-120-CO Liberator in Gusap: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-109975
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
MSN:
3774
Location:
Gusap
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Gusap, causing the death of all 11 crew members.

Crash of a Douglas A-20G-25-DO Havoc in PNG: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston
Operator:
Registration:
43-9098
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lae - Lae
Location:
Papua New Guinea
All Papua New Guinea
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in PNG. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL off Lae

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23851
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
9713
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lae
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed into the Huon Gulf off Lae following a dual engine failure. All four crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank 1,6 km offshore.
Probable cause:
Dual engine failure.
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