Lae | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While cruising off Lae, the twin engine aircraft collided with a Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighter and crashed into the sea. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Lae: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

40-1467

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

1467

YOM:

1940

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Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea off Lae, killing all seven crew members.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IVA near the Kabu River: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-145

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Lae – Rabaul

MSN:

414-6074

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

While flying at night on a trip from Lae to Rabaul, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located in the region of the Kabu River. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (24th Squadron):
F/Lt Paul Pryde Paterson,
F/O James Sinclair McIntyre,
Sgt Oliver Frederick George Claxton,
LAC James Arthur Wilson.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.50A in Waipali

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1937

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.50

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UMN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wau – Lae

MSN:

LASCO.1

YOM:

1929

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Circumstances:

While on a cargo flight from Wau to Lae, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain and crashed near Waipali. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Crash of a Stinson SR-7B Reliant in Wau: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Stinson SR-7 Reliant

Operator:

Registration:

VH-URC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Wau – Lae

MSN:

9669

YOM:

1936

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Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a cargo flight from Wau to Lae and initiated the takeoff roll in limited visibility due to fog. After liftoff, the aircraft struck a house at full power and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was seriously injured and the owner of the house was killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 10E Electra in the Pacific Ocean: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 10 Electra

Operator:

Registration:

NR16020

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Lae - Howland Island

MSN:

1055

YOM:

1936

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a world tour and the aircraft has been prepared with special equipment. It was able to fly 20 hours without fuel stop. The crew departed Lae in New Guinea bound for Howland Island, in the South Pacific Ocean. The trip was estimated to be 20 hours and it seems that the aircraft crashed into the sea some 30 minutes prior to its arrival at Howland Island. SAR operations never found any trace of the aircraft nor the crew. Both occupants, famous aviation pioneers and aviators, were lost for ever.
Crew:
Amelia Earhart, pilot,
Frederick Noonan, radio navigator.

Probable cause:

Fuel exhaustion was suspected but the exact cause of the accident has never been elucidated.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth in Kaiapit

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1935

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UKL

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lae – Kaiapit

MSN:

891

YOM:

1929

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

On final approach, just prior to land, the aircraft stalled and hit the ground. It went out of control, veered off the grassy runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

It appears that a foreign object came into the injection system and obstructed the fuel supply to the engine that stopped on final approach.

Crash of a Junkers W.34d in Wampit: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Junkers W.34

Operator:

Registration:

VH-UNR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Lae - Bulolo

MSN:

2611

YOM:

1930

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

En route from Lae to Bulolo, weather conditions worsened and the crew encountered poor visibility due to mist. The airplane impacted trees and crashed in the jungle. The wreckage was found on 13 August 1931. Both crew members were killed.