Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Port Lyautey: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7251
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Port Lyautey NAS, while climbing, the seaplane crashed and burned, killing all six crew members.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-2 Coronado off Puerto Castilla: 10 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
7147
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the captain was forced to ditch the aircraft off Puerto Castilla. On landing, the seaplane broke in two and sank. A crew member was rescued while all others were killed.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder into the Adriatic Sea: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FK127
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7375
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While on a maritime patrol flight, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea. While the copilot was rescued, all other occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O A. M. Cameron, †
F/O G. Ingram, †
F/Sgt N. B. Williams, †
F/Sgt O. V. Proud, †
Sgt C. Leslie, †
Sgt Ritche.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Port Moresby: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2447
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Port Moresby, killing all six crew members.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA into the Arafura Sea: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A16-178
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Milingimbi - Milingimbi
MSN:
414-6350
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew left Milingimbi shortly after 1230LT on a shipping reconnaissance patrol. The aircraft failed to return and most probably crashed into the Arafura Sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
P/O J. P. Oldridge, pilot,
Sgt R. F. N. Drake-Brockman, navigator,
F/Sgt D. N. Rumble, wireless operator air gunner,
F/Sgt J. F. Cullen, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt D. J. Petch.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon 2 in Limeburners Creek: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A34-37
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2026
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a survey flight to select sites for training exercises for paratroop battalion. While cruising at low altitude, the twin-engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into timber located 4 miles north of Limeburners Creek. Two crew members were rescued while three others were killed, among them the pilot.
Crew:
Sgt Hollingdale, pilot, †
Denzel Leslie Govett, †
Maj Smith, †
Sgt Moran,
LAC Barlow.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner into the Caribbean Sea: 10 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
6534
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Waller - Waller
MSN:
2987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew left Waller Field NAS at Trinidad on a maritime patrol flight. The aircraft failed to return and is supposed to have crashed into the Caribbean Sea, killing the entire crew.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina into the Gulf of Mexico: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
05013
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Lost without trace in the Gulf of Mexico with 9 crewmen on board.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Attu

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08407
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Attu - Attu
MSN:
1331
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful mission, the crew was returning to Casco Cove Guard Station on Attu Island. On approach, the pilot realized that the sea was rough and decided to continue to the Massacre Bay where the situation seemed to be easier. On landing, the seaplane was hit by a wave and plunged into the sea. While all occupants were able to evacuate the cabin, the aircraft sank and was lost. It was carrying a cargo of 1,200 gallons of fuel and two bombs.
Probable cause:
Hit by wave while landing on rough sea.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Protville

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FK128
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7393
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Mediterranean Sea when the aircraft was attacked by enemy fire. The captain decided to return to his base in Tunisia but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing in Protville. While all occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.