Crash of a Short S.33 Empire Flying Boat off Sydney

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Short S.33 Empire Flying Boat
Operator:
Registration:
VH-ACD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Sydney - Sydney
MSN:
S.1025
YOM:
9
Location:
Sydney
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight around Sydney. While landing in the Rose Bay, off Sydney, the aircraft christened 'Clifton' landed hard and came to rest. Both occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair due to a hole in the hull and the left leading edge flap.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura off Cape Queiros: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1944 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4520
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Guadalcanal - Luganville
MSN:
5533
Location:
Espíritu Santo
All Vanuatu
Country:
Vanuatu
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While approaching Vanuatu in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Cape Queiros. On site, no survivor was found.
Crew:
Flight Lieutenant Peter Wood,
Pilot Officer Francis Baird,
Flight Sergeant Robert Carter,
Sergeant Thomas Murray,
Flight Sergeant Brian Vesty,
Corporal Edward Ayrey,
Leading Aircraftman Raymond Goff.
Probable cause:
According to officials, an engine was on fire on approach when crew lost control of the aircraft in poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL in Luganville

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23722
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9584
YOM:
1943
Location:
Luganville
All Vanuatu
Country:
Vanuatu
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft bell landed for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DL on Mt Victoria: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23500
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Dobodura – Port Moresby
MSN:
9362
YOM:
1943
Location:
Mt Victoria
Central
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Dobodura-North Borio Airfield at 1451LT but failed to arrive in Port Moresby-Wards Airport. SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was spotted on January 12, 1944, on the slope of Mt Victoria located in the Owen Stanley Range. Unfortunately, it was impossible for a rescue team to reach the site due to the difficult terrain.
Crew:
S/Sgt Benton D. Campbell,
1st Lt Gale J. Chase,
S/Sgt Joseph C. Draper,
1st Lt Frank C. Gecan,
Cpl Joseph J. Ransdell,
Cpl Everett F. Rogers.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Wigram AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1943 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Airspeed AS.10 Oxford
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1383
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
Location:
Wigram AFB (Christchurch)
Canterbury Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the crew made a steep turn to the left when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Both pilots were killed. They were performing a training mission.
Crew (1st ATS):
F/Sgt Douglas McDougall,
Marion Young.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DL near Rockhampton: 31 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1943 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-30742
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Townsville – Rockhampton – Brisbane
MSN:
13893
YOM:
1943
Location:
Rockhampton
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
31
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Townsville-Garbutt Field at 0710LT for a flight to Brisbane with an intermediate stop in Rockhampton, on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). En route, the aircraft exploded, dove into the ground and disintegrated in a wooded area located 48 km north of Rockhampton, near the road to Rossmoya. All 31 occupants were killed. Worst accident involving a USAF C-47 up to date.
Crew (22nd TCS):
2nd Lt William Randell Crecelius, pilot,
2nd Lt John R. Powell, copilot,
T/Sgt John L. Shupe, flight engineer,
Sgt Robert S. Fazio, radio operator.
Passengers:
Cpt Orlen N. Loverin,
1st Lt George K. Snyder,
2nd Lt William B. Graham,
T/Sgt Carlos M. Bane,
Cpt Robert J. Simons,
Maj Hoyt A. Ross,
Lt Rebecca Williams,
3rd Cl Jack Hayman Staggs,
C. G. M. Carline,
Lt W. M. Samuelson,
Lt Thomas Smith,
Lt Ernestine Korranda,
W/O Herbert R. Johnson,
Lt Harry Gillies,
Pvt Herbert J. Mathias,
Sgt Charles Dolan,
Harold George Dick,
William Bramwell Tibbs,
Cpl William Barry Sleep,
Cpl Thomas William Shard,
Pvt Benjamin Rasmussen,
Cpt John Hugho Weir,
Cpt Alexander William Robert Geddes,
Lt Nigel James Bruce MacDonald,
LAC Donald Cantrol Cameron,
LAC Raymond Kingsley Oster,
Cpt Crawford Derek Mollison.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld56.htm
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the inflight loss of control and disintegration was not determined.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-60-DL near Topham: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-30739
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Topham - Topham
MSN:
13890
YOM:
1943
Location:
Topham, Canton Island
All Kiribati
Country:
Kiribati
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local trip around Canton Island following maintenance. While flying along the shore at a too low altitude (about 30 feet), the aircraft hit a tree with its right wing that was partially sheared off. The aircraft lost height and eventually crashed in flames some 400 metres further on. All nine occupants were killed.
Crew:
S/Sgt Walter W. Gebhardt,
2nd Lt George W. Gee,
2nd Lt John A. Harcharik Jr.,
Cpl Charles H. Lohman,
2nd Lt William A. Prater,
T/Sgt Leslie A. Roberts Jr.,
Pfc Joseph F. Scogna,
2nd Lt Morris M. Steinberg 1.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL off the Turtle Head Island

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1943 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
A65-3
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Cooktown – Horn Island
MSN:
9012
YOM:
1943
Location:
Turtle Head Island
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While flying along the east shore of Queensland, the left engine failed. For unknown reason, the propeller was not feathered, causing an excessive drag. In such situation, the captain decided to ditch the aircraft 1,5 km south of the Turtle Head Island. While all 14 occupants were rescued, the aircraft sank and was lost. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying a load of cargo for a total of 2,740 kilos and 660 gallons of fuel. This caused the plane to be 1206 lbs (550 kg) overloaded.
Crew (36th Squadron):
F/Lt John Donellan Balfe, pilot,
Sgt Norman Properjohn,
F/Sgt T. H. Dennis.
Passengers:
P/O L. R. Ballard,
W/O P. G. Brown,
F/Lt R. S. Lovell,
Sgt R. Lucus,
ACI M. Van de Velde,
ACI E. C. Nason,
LAC C. T. Haylen,
LAC S. S. Collinson,
F/Sgt F. Potten,
Lt Fagg,
Col Collines.
Probable cause:
Overloaded, left engine failure (fuel exhaustion).

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL off Lae

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23851
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
9713
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lae
Morobe
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed into the Huon Gulf off Lae following a dual engine failure. All four crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank 1,6 km offshore.
Probable cause:
Dual engine failure.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura off Domo Cove: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1943 at 0543 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4508
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
5323
Location:
Domo Cove
All Solomon Islands
Country:
Solomon Islands
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While completing a turn in poor weather conditions and low visibility, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea and exploded. A crew member was able to swim to the beach while four other occupants were killed.
Crew (1st Squadron):
P/O Charles Harney, †
F/O Gifford Stansell, †
F/Sgt Leslie Smith, †
W/O James Burton, †
Sgt H. Ham.
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