Milingimbi | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew left Milingimbi shortly after 1230LT on a shipping reconnaissance patrol. The aircraft failed to return and most probably crashed into the Arafura Sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
P/O J. P. Oldridge, pilot,
Sgt R. F. N. Drake-Brockman, navigator,
F/Sgt D. N. Rumble, wireless operator air gunner,
F/Sgt J. F. Cullen, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt D. J. Petch.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA into the Arafura Sea: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-181

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Milingimbi - Milingimbi

MSN:

414-6353

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a maritime patrol flight over the sea of Arafura. In flight, twin engine aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea, killing all four crew members.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
Sgt Lamb, pilot,
Sgt Ikin, navigator,
Sgt N. McLean, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt M. Jackson, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA into the Arafura Sea: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1943 at 0030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-241

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Milingimbi - Milingimbi

MSN:

414-6494

YOM:

1942

Location:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft left Milingimbi at 0000LT on a maritime patrol flight. Thirty minutes later, bound to the north, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the Arafura Sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members was ever found.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O R. R. James,
Sgt R. E. Norris,
Sgt R. D. Ryan,
Sgt K. D. Krech,
Sgt P. S. Reen,
W/O N. E. Cutten.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Crocodile Island: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1943 at 0615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-183

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Millingimbi - Timoeka

MSN:

414-6355

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The Hudson IIIA registered A16-183 was involved in a reconnaissance mission over Timoeka and left Milingimbi Airfield at 0611LT along with another RAAF Hudson IIIA registered A16-197. Both aircraft were carrying 5 crew members. Four minutes after take off, while in initial climb, both aircraft collided and crashed on Crocodile Island, northwest of Milingimbi Airport. Both wreckage were found 600 yards from each other and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O K. R. Mills,
F/O R. E. John,
Sgt H. H. Hadley,
Sgt J. L. Barnes,
Sgt T. W. Bassen.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Crocodile Island: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1943 at 0615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-197

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Milingimbi - Timoeka

MSN:

414-6462

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The Hudson IIIA registered A16-197 was involved in a reconnaissance mission over Timoeka and left Milingimbi Airfield at 0611LT along with another RAAF Hudson IIIA registered A16-183. Both aircraft were carrying 5 crew members. Four minutes after take off, while in initial climb, both aircraft collided and crashed on Crocodile Island, northwest of Milingimbi Airport. Both wreckage were found 600 yards from each other and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O K. E. Daniel,
F/O J. Laws,
Sgt W. J. Gove,
Sgt Wilson,
Sgt J. G. Butler.