Country
Papua New Guinea
code

Oro (Northern)

Crash of a Piaggio P.166 in Mt Owen Stanley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Piaggio P.166 Albatross
Operator:
Registration:
VH-PAU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Popondetta – Port Moresby
MSN:
366
YOM:
1960
Location:
Mt Owen Stanley
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot Geoffrey Wallace was performing a cargo flight from Popondetta to Port Moresby and encountered poor weather conditions en route. At an altitude of 9,400 feet, the twin engine aircraft struck trees and crashed on Mt Owen Stanley. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. In October 1970, while searching for a missing Piper Aztec, the wreckage of the Piaggio was found.
Probable cause:
It was reported the pilot failed to follow the proper routing to Port Moresby.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson I in Embessa

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Goilala Air Service
Registration:
VH-BDD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tapini – Embessa
Location:
Embessa
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Embessa, the aircrasft suffered engine problems. The crew elected to make an emergency landing and the aircraft crash landed. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1406
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Dobodura - Dobodura
MSN:
1406
YOM:
1940
Location:
Dobodura
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a training flight from Dobodura and was scheduled to turn above Cape Killerton. Shortly after take off, the crew shut down one of the engine but most probably due to a magneto failure, was unable to restart it. The captain decided to ditch the aircraft but for unknown reason, landed too far off shore. The aircraft christened 'Reluctant Dragon' sank rapidly by deep water and was lost. Two crew members were killed while three others occupants could swim to the beach.
Crew (22nd BG):
1st Lt Carroll C. McGlasson, pilot,
2nd Lt Douglas W. Diggs, copilot, †
S/Sgt Clifford F. McClure, crew chief, †
S/Sgt Donald G. Murray, radio operator.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Dobodura

Date & Time: Sep 8, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1368
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1368
YOM:
1940
Location:
Dobodura
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Skindiwai: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-38662
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
6045
YOM:
1942
Location:
Tufi
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a supply mission to Australian soldiers operating near the village of Skindiwai, in the region of Tufi. While approaching the drop zone, the aircraft was too low, hit tree tops and crashed. All eight occupants were killed.
Crew (22nd TCS):
S/Sgt Elmer L. Crowley, pilot,
F/O Robert Vernon Newlin, copilot,
Sgt Benjamin J. Palma, flight engineer,
Sgt Charles A. Kelley,
Cpl John J. Peaff Jr.,
Pfc Leon M. Trach.
Passengers:
Pte Lawrence Oliver Clive Caldwell,
Pte Alma Mark Webb.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Kukuobata

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1422
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Port Moresby - Port Moresby
MSN:
1422
YOM:
1940
Location:
Dobodura
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'So Sorry' left Port Moresby-Seven Mile Airfield to attack Lae. Over the target, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire that hit the elevator cables. The pilot was able to leave the area but was forced to attempt an emergency landing in Kukuobata, near Dobodura. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all eight occupants were rescued, among them three were injured.
Crew (22nd BG):
Gerald J. Crosson, pilot,
McCaskey,
Johnson 5.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Soputa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1942 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-36
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Soputa - Soputa
MSN:
414-1887
YOM:
1940
Location:
Soputa
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a supply mission to Soputa to drop ammunition to Australian soldiers at the drop zone called 'Jumbora'. While flying at an altitude of 100 feet, the twin engine aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Three crew members were killed while the fourth occupant was injured.
Crew (1st OTU):
S/L William Allan Pedrina, pilot, †
F/O Donald Beviss Kerr, observer, †
Sgt Arthur Rupert Itzerott, radio operator, †
W/O Leo Charles Callaghan, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Dobodura

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
VH-CAH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2125
YOM:
1941
Location:
Dobodura
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Dobodura Airport, the twin engine aircraft was hit by enemy fire while the airfield was bombed. The aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. While there was no casualties, the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Buna: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1492
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1492
YOM:
1940
Location:
Buna
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane was shot down by enemy fire while attacking a convoy off Buna. The pilot was able to leave the area and attempted to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in shallow water off Cape Nelson, near Buna. A crew member, 2nd Lt Duncan S. Hughes, was killed while all six other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder on Mt Suckling: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1521
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Townsville – Port Moresby
MSN:
1521
YOM:
1940
Location:
Mt Suckling
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Townsville on a flight to Port Moresby (7 Mile Aerodrome). About 30 minutes prior to the ETA, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the visibility was limited. The captain was able to gain height and continued above the cloud layer. Unfortunately, the aircraft christened 'Yankee Clipper' overflew Port Moresby and continued to the east. Due to fuel shortage, all eight occupants decided to abandon the airplane and bailed out. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed on the slope of Mt Suckling located about 200 km east of Port Moresby and was destroyed. Six crew members were recovered (some of them eight days later) while two others were killed.
Crew (22nd BG):
Lt Duncan A. Seffern, pilot,
2nd Lt James A. Michael, copilot, †
Sgt Paul L. Ramsey, bombardier,
2nd Lt Carroll W. Casteel, navigator, †
Tom Riley, air gunner,
Sgt Kenneth R. Gundling, radio operator,
Sgt George T. Rickman, flight engineer,
Vern Haugland.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.
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