Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IVA in Picton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1943 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A16-152
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Camden - Camden
MSN:
414-6081
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While on a training sortie from Camden, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a prairie located in Picton, south of Camden. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (32nd Squadron):
F/Sgt S. K. Scott, pilot,
F/Sgt H. B. L. Johns, navigator,
Sgt B. C. J. Pearson, wireless operator,
Sgt G. D. Voyzey,
Sgt G. T. Lawson.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-171 in Cooktown

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1943 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A30-13
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dibrugarh – Cooktown
MSN:
1373
YOM:
1935
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown at Cooktown, the aircraft veered to the left. The captain immediately increased engine power and started a go around. At a height of ten feet, the aircraft banked left, causing the left wing to hit the runway surface. The aircraft went out of control and crashed on the runway edge. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all ten occupants escaped unhurt.
Crew:
W/O B. Starkey, pilot,
F/Sgt G. Unkles,
LAC J. R. Naugh,
Sgt A. J. Stribley.
Passengers:
F/O F. P. Nolan,
Sgt H. J. Fletcher,
Sgt A. K. Crooks,
Sgt A. Picton,
Sgt G. Shanks,
F/O J. A. Bonnington.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Reid River

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
40-1481
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1481
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the take off run, bound for Papua New Guinea, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Dumbo' swerved and went out of control. It veered off runway and came to rest in flames. While all seven crew members were injured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Crew:
Lt Arthur M. Hughes, pilot,
Lt Louis B. McCord, copilot,
Lt Lineberger, navigator,
Lt. Fred C. Federle, bombardier,
S/Sgt Stanley C. Kotek, flight engineer,
Sgt John H. Hargrove, radio operator,
Pfc Elliot Pasternack, air gunner.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-7-CO on Mt Straloch: 12 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
41-23825
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Townsville – Port Moresby
MSN:
620
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Townsville at 0815LT bound for Port Moresby. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. While cruising at the altitude of 3,000 feet above the Hinchinbrook Island, the aircraft hit the south slope of Mt Straloch located in the south part of the island. All 12 occupants were killed. The wreckage was eventually found by locals in 1943.
Crew (90th BG):
Cpt James E. Gumaer, Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Dewey G. Hooper, copilot,
2nd Lt David B. Lowe, navigator,
T/Sgt Waldo W. Kellner, flight engineer,
S/Sgt Walter E. Haydt, radio operator,
Passengers:
Col Carroll G. Riggs,
Lt Raymond F. Dakin,
Cpt Carl H. Silber,
Cpt Peter E. Kiple,
Lt John E. Cooper, Jr.,
Robert C. Trevithick,
Tec Michael M. Goldstop.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Batchelor: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A16-232
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Batchelor - Batchelor
MSN:
414-6480
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a survey flight over the Wetar Strait, off the Indonesian province of Timor. En route, the twin engine aircraft was attacked by the pilot of a Mitsubishi Zero. Several bullets hit the right engine and fuel tanks. The aircraft became uncontrollable but the crew was able to leave the area and to return to Batchelor for a safe landing. Later, RAAF officers confirmed the death of a crew member while four other occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O A. A. Cambridge,
Sgt G. H. Cooper,
Sgt T. I. Gunn,
F/O J. M. Barnes,
Sgt G. J. Thame. †
Probable cause:
Hit by enemy fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Exmouth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2407
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The flying boat hit a large wave and large quantities of water entered the plane through the bombing window position in the bow. The aircraft sank in 18 feet of water and was lost. The captain was killed while eight other occupants were injured.
Source: ASN

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-171 in Mallacoota

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1942 at 1101 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A30-10
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1372
YOM:
1935
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off, while climbing, the right engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed, injuring all six occupants.
Crew (36th Squadron):
F/O J. L. Whiteman, pilot,
P/O F. J. Ball, pilot.
Passengers:
Sgt A. J. Scott,
LAC J. Varderway,
LAC R. L. Vance,
Cpl Greenhill.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine on take off.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Clayton

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AW866
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the captain was forced to attempt an emergency landing due to fuel starvation. The twin engine aircraft crash landed in a cane field and was damaged beyond repair. All three crew members were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Fuel starvation.

Crash of a Douglas DC-5-511 in Lurnea Siding

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
VH-CXB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Charleville – Brisbane
MSN:
424
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Charleville Airport bound for Brisbane with 20 US soldiers and two crew on board. While cruising at a height of 6,000 feet, one of the engine failed. The crew was able to feather the propeller but could not maintain a safe altitude. The captain decided to divert to the Lurnea Siding Airstrip located some 30 miles east of Charleville to attempt an emergency landing. After touchdown, at a speed of 70 mph, the aircraft hit a anthill. An undercarriage was pushed through a wing and the aircraft came to rest. While all 22 occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.