Maluku | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Few minutes after takeoff from Ambon Airport, the twin engine airplane was attacked by the pilots of two Japanese Air Force Mitsubishi Zero. With one engine on fire, the captain ordered his crew to bail out but only two were able to abandon the aircraft. Two others were killed when the airplane crashed, bursting into flames. Both crew who survived became PoW and were executed on November 22, 1942. Crew from the 2nd Squadron.

Probable cause:

Shot down by two Japanese fighters.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA off Ambone: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1942 at 0515 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-196

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

414-6461

YOM:

1942

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was attacking a Japanese ship cruising off Ambone. The ship ended in a huge explosion when the Hudson was hit by debris. Out of control, it crashed into the sea and was lost. Three crew members were killed instantly while the fourth occupant died later.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
P/O John Hester Venn,
Sgt W. J. James,
Sgt B. A. Kilpatrick,
Sgt L. A. Omsby.

Probable cause:

Hit by debris after ship bombing.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina near Ambon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

2304

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

0020

YOM:

1937

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The floatplane was shot down by a Japanese fighter and crashed in the region of Ambon. The entire crew was killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina in Ambon

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

2309

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

0021

YOM:

1937

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The floatplane was shot down by a Japanese fighter and crashed near Ambon. Crew fate unknown.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I off Ambon: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1942 at 1640 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

A16-29

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Ambon - Ambon

MSN:

414-1880

YOM:

1940

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Ambon-Laha Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred metres offshore. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured.
Crew (13th Squadron):
F/O John Turnbull, pilot, †
F/O Robert Kelvin Allen, †
Sgt Walter John Lay, †
Sgt B. E. Hack.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of a loss of control after the port engine caught fire and the starboard engine failed during the initial climb.

Crash of a Martin 166 WH-3 in Ambon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-10 (Model 139 & 166)

Operator:

Registration:

M-570

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Ambon - Kupang

MSN:

806

YOM:

1936

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Circumstances:

Crashed for unknown reasons shortly after takeoff from Ambon Airport, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.

Crash of a Dornier Do J Wal off Ambon

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1937 at 0845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier Do J Wal

Operator:

Registration:

D-10

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

YOM:

1924

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The float plane went out of control and crashed upon landing off Ambon. All three crew members evacuated safely.

Crash of a Fokker T-IV off Banda Neira: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1937 at 0630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fokker T-IV

Operator:

Registration:

T-1

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

After takeoff from Banda Neira, while climbing, the pilot initiated a turn to the left when the float plane stalled and crashed into the sea. All five crewmen were killed.