Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Misamari

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-96650
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
30312
YOM:
1944
Location:
Misamari
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after take off from Misamari Airbase following an engine failure. Crew fate remains unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-49J in Memphis: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1944 at 1009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-1976
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6316
YOM:
1942
Location:
Memphis
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total hours on type:
9.00
Circumstances:
Just after lift off from runway 17, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked right, stalled and crashed on a storehouse. Three passengers were killed while all three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The loss of control was caused by a failure of the right engine shortly after take off. It is also confirmed that the pilot had just nine flying hours on this type of aircraft and that he had never been officially checked.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Manila: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
A24-64
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Manila
Metro Manila
Country:
Philippines
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Australia following a mining mission of the Manila Bay. In unknown circumstances, the seaplane crash off Manila, maybe into the Manila Bay. The wreckage was eventually discovered in early 2019.
Thanks to Maree Oddy for his testimony here below.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL near Dali: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1944 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100613
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chanyi – Dinjan
MSN:
19076
YOM:
1943
Location:
Dali
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Dali. No trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found. The last radio contact was heard at 1750LT while the aircraft was about 20 miles north of Dali Lake.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress on Beinn Nuis Hill: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
42-97286
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Knettishall – Prestwick
MSN:
7759
YOM:
1942
Location:
Beinn Nuis Hill (Isle of Arran)
Ayrshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
En route, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of Beinn Nuis Hill, on the Isle of Arann. All 11 occupants were killed. An unconfirmed report stated the crew was carrying an illegal load of whiskey on behalf of British Officers.
Crew (560th Bombing Squadron);
Cpt John N. Littlejohn, pilot,
2nd Lt Robert N. Stoaks, copilot,
2nd Lt William J. Frey, navigator,
1st Lt Richard W. Rosebasky, navigator,
2nd Lt Leonard W. Bond, bomb aimer,
Cpl Joseph A. Payne, flight engineer,
Cpl Albert E. Thomas, radio operator.
Passengers:
Maj James R. Bell,
2nd Lt Jack D. Merkley,
Sgt Charles S. Brown,
S/Sgt Wade D. Kriner.
Source & photos:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/scotland/scotland42-97286.htm

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-35-CU Commando in Mohanbari: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-3604
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26737
YOM:
1943
Location:
Dibrugarh-Mohanbari
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. At least one crew member was killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL into the Pacific Ocean: 16 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100461
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Biak – Pitu
MSN:
18924
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Biak-Mokmer Airport at 0505LT bound for Pitu Airfield, on Morotai Island (North Malukku). As the aircraft failed to arrive, SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the 16 occupants was ever found.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in RAF Crosby: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
KG639
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
13451
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crosby AFB
Cumbria
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing the pilot.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Nausori: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1944 at 1649 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4550
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Funafuti – Nausori
MSN:
5899
Location:
Nausori
All Fiji Islands
Country:
Fiji Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Funafuti (Tuvalu Islands) to Nausori with a load of bomb. The approach and landing were completed in strong cross winds and upon landing, the twin engine aircraft went of control, skidded and veered off runway to the right before coming to rest in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. The explosion on final impact was largely contributed by the presence of bombs.
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