Military | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Finschhafen Airport. The aircraft sank and was lost while all occupants were able to return safely to the shore.

Crash of a Douglas R5D-1 near Agana: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

39180

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

7477

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on approach to Agana Airport, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Tengo located about 8 miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Ambrières: 12 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1945 at 1045 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

44-68184

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Algiers – Lyon – Dijon – Saint-Dizier

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was returning to Saint-Dizier with French soldiers on leave. On approach, the visibility was poor due to foggy conditions. The aircraft was too low and hit poplar tops before crashing in flames in Ambrières, few km from the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 12 occupants were killed.
Crew (Groupe de Bombardement I/32 Gascogne):
Roger Derycke, pilot,
Pierre Lugrez, copilot,
Henri Neys,
Albert Onimus,
Hubert Trouillet,
Jean-François Rajon.
Passengers:
Pierre Danigo,
Pierre Bertrand,
Jean-Marc Zuccarelli,
Emile Dufour,
Roger Maniabal,
Rapha'el Canneddu.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I: 26 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

PD343

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a flight from Italy to the UK, repatriating wounded soldiers and 7 crew members from the 550th Squadron. As the aircraft failed to arrive in England, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 26 occupants was found. It is believed the aircraft may have crash in the Italian Alp mountains.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL near Broken Hill: 9 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

6809

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

10104

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances north of Broken Hill, North Rhodesia. Nine passengers were killed in the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL in Shaanxi: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-16350

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Xi’an – Liangping

MSN:

20816

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was on its way from Xi'an (Hsian) to Liangping, carrying a crew of four and two USAF officers. While cruising in poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in the Shaanxi province. All six occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt John F. Pospichal, pilot,
F/O Frederick L. Patterson, copilot,
T/Sgt Jerome H. Birkenfeld, radio operator,
S/Sgt Robert S. Abeel Jr., crew chief.
Passengers:
Maj Leslie G. Shellan,
Col James C. MacMullan.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando in Chinkiang: 20 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

42-101183

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

30638

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances about 32 km southeast of Chinkiang, killing all 20 occupants.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU into the Pacific Ocean

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-78352

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

22175

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the south Pacific Ocean. The crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47BA-15-DK Dakota C.4 in Trat

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

KK172

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

15418/26863

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Enroute, the crew encountered unknown technical problems and the captain attempted to make an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in a field located near Trat and was damaged beyond repair. All occupants were unhurt.