East New Britain | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft left 7 Mile Aerodrome in Port Moresby on a bombing mission to Rabaul. While approaching the target, the aircraft was attacked by Japanese fighters. The crew attempted to leave the area but the aircraft eventually crashed in a plantation located in Kabanga, east of Rabaul. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew (19th BG):
1st Lt Hugh S. Grundmann, pilot,
1st Lt LeRoy F. Foltz, copilot,
2nd Lt Donald L. Bonham,
2nd Lt Frank M. Burton Jr.,
Pfc William A. Takala,
James T. McHugh, Jr.,
Harry T. Isles,
Kenneth E. Dake,
Robert E. McClure.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Montague Harbour: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

40-1474

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

1474

YOM:

1940

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While cruising off New Britain Island, the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire. The crew elected to ditch the aircraft few km off Montague Harbour. Two crew members were killed while all five other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Rabaul: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

40-1400

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

1400

YOM:

1940

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While flying near Rabaul, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed. Five crew members were killed while two others were rescued and taken POW.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Rabaul: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

A24-13

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

307

YOM:

1941

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The floatplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Rabaul, killing the entire crew.
Crew (11th Squadron):
Cpl Raymond James Adams,
S/L Ernest Victor Beaumont,
LAC Maxwell Dawson Raymond Berghouse,
F/O Michael Whittam Edwards,
AC1 Leonard Leslie Farrands,
LAC George Lancelot Formby,
LAC Cyril Grainger,
Sgt Raymond John Richardson.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IVA near the Kabu River: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-145

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Lae – Rabaul

MSN:

414-6074

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

While flying at night on a trip from Lae to Rabaul, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located in the region of the Kabu River. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (24th Squadron):
F/Lt Paul Pryde Paterson,
F/O James Sinclair McIntyre,
Sgt Oliver Frederick George Claxton,
LAC James Arthur Wilson.

Crash of a General Aircraft Genairco in Kabakaul: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1933

Type of aircraft:

General Aircraft Genairco

Operator:

Rabaul Airways

Registration:

VH-UNY

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Kabakaul - Kabakaul

MSN:

YOM:

1930

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The airplane was completing local joyrides in the area of Rabaul and Kanakaul. While flying over the Rainau Plantation, the pilot Duncan failed to realized his altitude was insufficient. The airplane struck a tall coconut tree and crashed. A passenger was killed while the second passenger was seriously injured. The pilot Duncan escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Poor judgement on part of the pilot who failed to see and avoid a tall coconut tree while completing a joyride at low height.