Date & Time:
Jul 25, 1942 at 1720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
NZ2028
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Nausori - Fua'amotu
MSN:
414-3851
YOM:
1941
Country:
Tonga
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
4
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
2
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft left Nausori Airport at 0919LT on a special flight to Fua'amotu, Tonga. On final approach, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the sea some 10 miles off shore. Despite extensive search, the authorities did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants.
Crew (4th Squadron):
F/O Donald Anderson,
F/O Clive Ibbotson,
Sgt Roland Wybourne,
LAC Arthur Clayton.
Passengers:
Major General Owen Herbert Mead,
Lt John Leslie.
Crew (4th Squadron):
F/O Donald Anderson,
F/O Clive Ibbotson,
Sgt Roland Wybourne,
LAC Arthur Clayton.
Passengers:
Major General Owen Herbert Mead,
Lt John Leslie.
Probable cause:
It is probable that pilots suffered a loss of situational awareness during an approach completed in low visibility due to bad weather conditions.
