Date & Time:
Apr 5, 1943 at 0445 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
N5-140
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Darwin - Darwin
MSN:
85-5145
YOM:
1941
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
5
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Darwin on a reconnaissance mission over North Timor with two other similar aircraft. Shortly after takeoff, it suffered an engine failure and crashed into the sea. The wreckage was found 800 metres off Nightcliff, in the suburb of Darwin. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (18th Squadron):
S/Maj G. Tijmons, pilot,
Sgt K. van Bremen, copilot,
S/Maj F. J. van Wylick, radio operator,
F/Sgt Ronald James Hill, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt George Bryanton Weller, wireless operator and air gunner.
Crew (18th Squadron):
S/Maj G. Tijmons, pilot,
Sgt K. van Bremen, copilot,
S/Maj F. J. van Wylick, radio operator,
F/Sgt Ronald James Hill, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt George Bryanton Weller, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.
