Manus | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from the Bapi grassy runway 14/32 which is 495 metres long, the twin engine aircraft collided with trees and crashed, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed. It is believed that the pilot completed the rotation too late.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Seeadler Harbour: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1945 at 1545 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

Operator:

Registration:

NZ4619

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

6264

Location:

Seeadler Harbour (Los Negros Island)

Manus

Country:

Papua New Guinea

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

While returning to his base and completing a turn at a height of 75 feet, the crew lost control of the aircraft that crashed inverted in the Seeadler Harbour. All six crew members were killed.
Crew (4th Squadron):
F/Sgt Jack Mummery,
F/Sgt Joseph Hartley,
F/Sgt Arthur Doreen,
F/Sgt Richard Anderson,
F/Sgt Kenneth Taylor,
Cpl James Gibson.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 off Momote: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

17133

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

12330

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

Crashed for unknown reason off Momote Airport, into the Bismarck Sea. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54E-1-DO Skymaster in Lorangau: 21 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1945 at 2226 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

44-9043

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lorengau – Biak

MSN:

27269

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Lorengau Airport by night bound for Biak-Sorido. During the initial climb, the four engine aircraft crashed on a wooded hill located near the airfield and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 21 occupants were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Rex S. Brown,
Cwo Russell T. Crawford,
Cpt William V. Mudra,
2nd Lt Paul L. Reinhold,
Cpt Frank E. Stewart,
1st Lt Delmar E. Wortman.

Probable cause:

According to the US Command, the accident was caused by a succession of omissions on part of the crew. After lift off, the captain made a premature turn to the right while climbing to a height of 500 feet. According to airport procedures, a turn to the right after rotation could be made only if the aircraft reached the minimum safe altitude of 1,000 feet and minimum 45 seconds after lift off, which was not the case presently. For reasons which could not be accurately determined, flaps were retracted prematurely, preventing the aircraft to gain height. The absence of sufficient visibility caused by night was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Momote: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

04501

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Momote - Momote

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

While landing at the Momote Seaplane Base, on Manus Island, the floatplane landed hard and came to rest with one wing sheared off and the bow collapsed. The captain was killed while all five other occupants were injured.