Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA off Pulan Luang Island

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A16-230
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6491
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft left Hughes Airfield for a reconnaissance mission of the islands in the Banda Sea. While approaching the Pulan Luang Island, the aircraft was shot down and crashed into the sea. While the aircraft sunk and was lost, all five crew members were take prisoners by the Japanese. One of them was killed by the attack of a Japanese barge while all four occupants were executed on August 16, 1944.
Crew:
S/L John Leonard Scott,
F/Sgt Robert Ian Maxwell King,
F/Sgt Bruce Erskdale Wallace,
F/Sgt Keith Charles Wright,
P/O Donald Cosmo Beddoe.
Probable cause:
Shot down.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina on Choiseul Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
48259
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
1621
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route, while cruising over the Choiseul Island, the seaplane hit a mountain and was destroyed. All nine occupants were killed.
Crew:
Lieutenant C. Burkhardt, pilot, 8.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Kai Island: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
N5-179
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
100-20800
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances on Kai Island while performing a maritime patrol flight. All six crew were killed.

Crash of a Noorduyn Norseman in Carpenter Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
43-5287
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
278
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The passenger and the pilot were engaged in a reconnaissance flight following the recent disappearance of an airplane. In unknown circumstances, the single engine aircraft crashed near Carpenter Lake, killing both occupants.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in the Gulf of Mexico

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08535
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew lost his orientation while performing a maritime patrol mission over the Gulf of Mexico. Captain decided to ditch the aircraft some 160 km west of Tampa, Florida. While all five occupants were rescued, the seaplane sunk and was lost.
Probable cause:
Crew became lost in flight.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus I off Hunstanton

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LL268
Flight Phase:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Takeoff was started on a rough sea off Hunstanton. The float plane hit several waves, went out of control and came to rest. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Consolidated Canso off Goose Bay: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9781
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Crew became lost during a survey flight, most probably due to a weather deterioration. Pilot ditched the aircraft in the icy Melville Lake located off Goose bay but the aircraft battered by ice flow and eventually sank. The crew left the cabin and found refuge in dinghies. Unfortunately, all attempts made for rescue were unsuccessful and all eight occupants were never found.
Crew:
W. E. McNicholl 7.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder in Ghisonaccia

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FK126
MSN:
7370
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Attu

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
48398
Flight Phase:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Attu Airport. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland III near Donegal: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1944 at 2330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DW110
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Pembroke Dock - Pembroke Dock
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight and left RAF Pembroke Dock in the afternoon for a 13 hours mission. Aircraft was scheduled to overfly the Lake Lough Erne but for unknown reason, was off the initial track and was flying over a mountainous area in the Donegal County. By night, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Blue Stak at a height of 2,219 feet. Rescuers arrived on site, some 200 feet from the top, and were able to evacuate six injured crew members while all seven other occupants were killed.
Crew:
Lieutenant Howard Charles Sheffield Armstrong, pilot, †
Lieutenant Maurice Leonard Gillingham, pilot, †
Maurice Vincent Wareing, copilot, †
Joseph George Trull, navigator,
John Bruce Richardson, flight engineer,
Sergeant C. S. Hobbs, air gunner,
Sergeant Cyril Robinson Greenwood, †
Sergeant Frederick George Green, gunner, †
Sergeant John Ernest Parsons, †
Sergeant Frederick Tom Copp, flight engineer, †
Sergeant James Kenneth Gilchrist, rear gunner,
Sergeant A. Gowens.