Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL on Mt Obree: 17 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 10, 1942 at 1330 LT
Operator:
Registration:
VH-CCU
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Moresby - Pongani
MSN:
4689
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
Christened 'The Flying Dutchman', the aircraft was flying from Port Moresby to Pongani on behalf of the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron's to deliver supplies and troops from the 32nd Infantry Division and the 126th Infantry Regiment. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the aircraft encountered severe downdrafts, lost altitude and hit the slope of Mt Obree, in the center of PNG. Of the twenty-three aboard, seventeen survived the crash. Many had serious injuries and burns, and died afterwards waiting for help. Eventually, some of the survivors found help and only six survived. The wreckage was rediscovered during an air search mission for a missing Piaggio on March 8, 1961. The airplane has the dual registration VH-CCU and 41-18564.
Crew:
2nd Lt George W. Vandervort, pilot, †
Cpt Theodore W. Barron, †
T/Sgt Stephen J. Pitch, flight engineer, †
Sgt George B. Kershner, radio operator.
Passengers:
Sgt James M. Verstay, †
Pvt Vernon R. Moak, †
Pvt Charles W. Raddatz, †
Pvt Charles I. Stokes, †
Pvt Margarito Padilla, †
Pvt Carlos D. Failin, †
Pfc Gerald M. Grove, †
Pfc Frank A. Thomas, Jr.,
Pvt Duane R. Butler,
Sgt Edward K. Holleman,
Pvt Floyd L. August,
Pvt John W. Mobley,
Tec Lawrence E. Peterson, †
Pvt John J. Bellus, †
Pfc Malvern E. Patton, †
Pvt Theodore Romero, †
Pfc William L. Smith, †
Pvt Martin J. Brandon, †
Pvt Antonio T. Montes. †
Crew:
2nd Lt George W. Vandervort, pilot, †
Cpt Theodore W. Barron, †
T/Sgt Stephen J. Pitch, flight engineer, †
Sgt George B. Kershner, radio operator.
Passengers:
Sgt James M. Verstay, †
Pvt Vernon R. Moak, †
Pvt Charles W. Raddatz, †
Pvt Charles I. Stokes, †
Pvt Margarito Padilla, †
Pvt Carlos D. Failin, †
Pfc Gerald M. Grove, †
Pfc Frank A. Thomas, Jr.,
Pvt Duane R. Butler,
Sgt Edward K. Holleman,
Pvt Floyd L. August,
Pvt John W. Mobley,
Tec Lawrence E. Peterson, †
Pvt John J. Bellus, †
Pfc Malvern E. Patton, †
Pvt Theodore Romero, †
Pfc William L. Smith, †
Pvt Martin J. Brandon, †
Pvt Antonio T. Montes. †
Probable cause:
Caught by severe downdrafts and crashed.
