Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-5-LO LodeStar in Merauke

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1945 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A67-6
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
18-2610
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During takeoff roll, a tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Tyre burst on takeoff.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24L-1-CO Liberator in Timor: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
A72-70
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fenton - Fenton
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Fenton on a reconnaissance mission. While flying over Timor (Cape Chater), the heavy bomber was shot down by the Japansese Flak and crashed, killing all eleven crew members.
Crew (24th Squadron):
W/O Evelyn Bruce Baile,
F/Sgt William James Cornes,
F/Lt Kenneth William Edwards,
F/Lt Thomas Guy Evans,
F/Sgt Graham Neil Head,
W/O Jack Holt,
Sgt David Knox Kyle-Little,
F/Sgt Noel Patrick Martin,
P/O Kenwyn Howard Richards,
F/Sgt Joseph Arthur William Stevenson,
P/O Leonard King Teitzel.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/a72-70.htm

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Biak: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1945 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-100479
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Biak – Peleliu
MSN:
18942
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Biak-Boroke Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot made a turn to the right when control was lost. The aircraft crashed in a swampy area located north of the airfield. The wreckage was found on March 11, 1945 only, and all 5 occupants were killed. For unknown reason, the crew attempted a turn to the right instead off left with a ceiling at 1,000 feet.
Crew (375th TCG):
2nd Lt Thomas H. Fletcher,
2nd Lt Robert W. McDowell,
2nd Lt Carl F. Copeland,
Sgt Charlie A. Donnelly,
T/Sgt James E. Wilson.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando in Irian Jaya: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-101046
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Biak - Hollandia
MSN:
30501
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
En route, the crew was informed by ground about the deterioration of the weather conditions. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Iran Jaya. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell near Langgur: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1944 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N5-214
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While approaching the Langgur Airport, the B-25 Mitchell was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed. At least one crew member was killed.
Crew (18th Squadron):
F/Sgt Thomas Hugh Barclay.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina into the Kao Bay: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08137
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
173
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a bombing mission over the Northern Halmaheras Islands (North Maluku). While approaching the target by night, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Kao Bay. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt R. W. Ball,
Lt Robert Federico,
Ens Robert H. Hicks 2.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Namlea: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-45
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the seaplane hit a mountain (2,000 meters high) located in the region of Namlea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found until 1993.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress in New Guinea: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1944 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
41-2464
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lae – Tadji – Biak
MSN:
2275
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'Queenie' left Lae-Nadzab Airport at 0641LT bound for Mokmer Aerodrome (Biak Island) with a en route stop at Tadji Airfield. The aircraft failed to arrive and no trace of it nor the 19 occupants was ever found.
Crew:
Lt Col Walter P. Piehl, pilot,
Maj Alan C. Attebery, copilot,
S/Sgt Cortez A. Beal, flight engineer,
S/Sgt Henry Y. Willis, radio operator,
T/Sgt Edgar W. Elseman, crew chief.
Passengers:
Major Robert H. Barnes,
Major Victor De F. Henriques,
Captain Russell G. Helmer,
Captain Fred J. Lewis,
Captain Paul V. McKnight,
Captain Wendell Root,
1st Lt Winton D. Witmer,
2nd Lt John C. Campbell,
2nd Lt. Roland J. Hickey,
WO Dawson L. Hutchison,
S/Sgt August J. Bachor,
Sgt William R. Ray,
Cpl Noel L. Lowe,
PFC Clyde H. Hopkins Jr.
Source: http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-2464.html
Probable cause:
The cause of the dissapearance was unknown, but was reported that it might be lost due to "possible enemy antiaircraft fire or navigational circumstance".

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina into the Java Sea: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-73
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
1662
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a sea mining mission over the Java Sea when the crew radioed the aircraft was shot down. Both tanks were hit and the crew informed ground about his position off Surabaya. SAR did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the crew.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy action.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Babo: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-49
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
1199
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'Maggie' left Groote Eylandt Island, Australia, on a bombing mission to Manokwari. While cruising in the region of Babo, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances. No trace of the aircraft nor the 10 crew members was found.
Crew (11th Squadron):
P/O Warwick Neville Rose, pilot,
F/O Allan Roger Meakin, pilot,
F/S L. W. Stringer, navigator,
F/S Alexander John Hine, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/S James William Willesden, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/S J. B. Miller, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Alfred Harvey Brooks Wadham, flight engineer,
Sgt Herbert John Alexander Coates, flight engineer,
Sgt Philip Charles Carter, air gunner,
Sgt George Wise Whitley, air gunner.