Country
code

Northern Territory

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator in Fenton

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
42-40504
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1581
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On landing at Fenton, the aircraft christened 'Gus's Bus' suffered a gear failure and came to rest. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair but later salvaged.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage failure on landing.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Batchelor

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
N5-145
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
82-5433
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'The Flying Dutchman' from 18 Squadron of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEI-AF/ KNIL) was damaged after running off the runway in a downwind landing at Batchelor airfield in the Northern Territory. There were no casualties.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nt138.htm

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-65-CO Liberator in Fenton: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
42-40509
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fenton - Fenton
MSN:
1586
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful bombing mission over Langgoer, the crew was returning to his base at Fenton. On final approach by night, the aircraft christened 'Nothing Sacred' was too low and hit the slope of Mt Sugar Loaf located three miles short of runway. A photographer was the only survivor as all ten other occupants were killed.
Crew (380th BG):
Lt Hugh B. Parris,
Archibald S. Mills, Jr.,
Andrew B. Edwards Jr.,
Urban V. W. Darlington,
Leonard R. Greene,
Dossie J. Odom,
Ralph T. Newbold,
Albert Mirarchi,
William O. Miller,
LaVerne F. Parsons.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nt155.htm

Crash of a North American B-25C Mitchell in Batchelor

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
N5-153
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Batchelor - Batchelor
MSN:
94-12747
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Overran on landing at Batchelor Airfield when the nose wheel and flaps refused to work after an evening bombing raid to Laha and Ambon. All crewmen were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nt139.htm

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-25-CO Liberator in Fenton: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
41-24248
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1043
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing in unknown circumstances, killing four crew members.
Crew (90th BG):
William A. Miller ?.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Hughes: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A16-186
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hughes - Hughes
MSN:
414-6342
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
2104
Circumstances:
The aircraft was at 500 feet with gear extended over the threshold of strip with the port airscrew feathered due to engine problems. The pilot raised the undercarriage and applied power to starboard engine, but the aircraft pulled to port and begun to loose height and crashed one mile north east of Hughes Strip. The aircraft was destroyed in the impact and ensuing fire.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/Lt J. F. Mason,
F/Lt J. R. Wood,
F/O T. W. Swann,
F/Sgt R. J. Flaherty,
F/Sgt R. D. Woods,
Sgt G. R. Rowland,
F/O G. L. Knauer.
Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a North American B-25D Mitchell in Batchelor

Date & Time: May 22, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
N5-152
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
93-12591
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the take off run, the aircraft hit a gun pit, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a field. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (18th Squadron):
P/O B. Wetters, pilot,
Cpt Eccles, pilot,
Cpt Jesserun, navigator,
F. Weber, wireless operator,
Vernon McLean, air gunner.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Crocodile Island: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1943 at 0615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A16-183
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Millingimbi - Timoeka
MSN:
414-6355
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The Hudson IIIA registered A16-183 was involved in a reconnaissance mission over Timoeka and left Milingimbi Airfield at 0611LT along with another RAAF Hudson IIIA registered A16-197. Both aircraft were carrying 5 crew members. Four minutes after take off, while in initial climb, both aircraft collided and crashed on Crocodile Island, northwest of Milingimbi Airport. Both wreckage were found 600 yards from each other and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O K. R. Mills,
F/O R. E. John,
Sgt H. H. Hadley,
Sgt J. L. Barnes,
Sgt T. W. Bassen.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Crocodile Island: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1943 at 0615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A16-197
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Milingimbi - Timoeka
MSN:
414-6462
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The Hudson IIIA registered A16-197 was involved in a reconnaissance mission over Timoeka and left Milingimbi Airfield at 0611LT along with another RAAF Hudson IIIA registered A16-183. Both aircraft were carrying 5 crew members. Four minutes after take off, while in initial climb, both aircraft collided and crashed on Crocodile Island, northwest of Milingimbi Airport. Both wreckage were found 600 yards from each other and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O K. E. Daniel,
F/O J. Laws,
Sgt W. J. Gove,
Sgt Wilson,
Sgt J. G. Butler.

Crash of a North American B-25D Mitchell off Nightcliff: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
N5-140
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Darwin - Darwin
MSN:
85-5145
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful reconnaissance mission over North Timor, the twin engine aircraft was returning to its base in Darwin when on approach, it crashed into the sea one mile off Nightcliff, in the suburb of Darwin. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (18th Squadron):
S/Maj G. Tijmons, pilot,
Sgt K. van Bremen, copilot,
S/Maj F. J. van Wylick, radio operator,
F/Sgt Ronald James Hill, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt George Bryanton Weller, wireless operator and air gunner.