Queensland

The last radio contact was recorded some 15 minutes prior to the ETA at Cairns Airport. While descending, the twin engine aircraft hit a hill and crashed in the Daintree National Park, near Mossman, some 65 km northwest of Cairns. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 20 occupants was found. Eventually, the wreckage was found in January 1989 in an isolated and mountainous area. All 20 occupants were killed, among them two civilians.
Crew:
1st Lt H. J. H. Daanen, pilot,
Sgt W. A. Torn, copilot,
Sgt E. Kerdijk, wireless operator,
Sgt J. F. Damwijk, flight engineer.
Passengers:
1st Lt R. T. H. Braakensiek,
H. P. Levy,
B. van Aken,
O. Leyding,
R. J. Salm,
J. S. Zwart,
Sgt A. C. Scholte,
Sgt M. Boogerman,
M. J. Straub,
S/L Leslie Roy Dawson,
Lt Horace William Hammond Armstrong,
2nd Lt J. R. L. Lebeu,
2nd Lt R. E. J. Boereboom,
2nd Lt S. Jacob,
Mrs Waas,
Mrs Wakemaw.

Shortly after take off, while climbing, the left engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a wooded area located in Cape Pallarenda, few km north of Townsville Airport. While all three occupants were injured, the aircraft was destroyed.

Crashed on landing at Brisbane-Archerfield Airport. No casualties. This was the third landing accident with this aircraft at Archerfield in three months. The previous time, on February 23, the aircraft made a belly landing as well.

On final approach to Horn Island Airport, at a height of 250 feet, the aircraft nosed up, stalled and crashed in a mangrove on the shore. All 17 occupants were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Later, two crew members died from their injuries.
Crew (317th TCG):
Cpt William Compton, pilot,
1st Lt Donovan, copilot,
1st Lt Paul Maaske,
T/Sgt Paul Paddilla,
S/Sgt J. C. Matthowa, †
Cpl Julian Simmons, †
2nd Lt Edward Scudero,
T/Sgt Delbert Steinka,
T/Sgt C. M. Porter,
S/Sgt Charles Kreig.
Passengers:
T/Sgt Cecil Clarke,
P. F. C. Swain,
S/Sgt John Masiars,
Pte Daniel Pechman,
Pte Paul Graf,
T/Sgt T. Underwood,
Pfc James Colorusso.

En route, crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. Aircraft ended up on a beach located 13 miles south of Cape Sidmouth, near the Princess Charlotte Bay. The crew of a RAAF Catalina spotted the aircraft a day later and was able to land and to evacuate all six occupants uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft left Townsville-Garbutt Field at 0710LT for a flight to Brisbane with an intermediate stop in Rockhampton, on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). En route, the aircraft exploded, dove into the ground and disintegrated in a wooded area located 48 km north of Rockhampton, near the road to Rossmoya. All 31 occupants were killed. Worst accident involving a USAF C-47 up to date.
Crew (22nd TCS):
2nd Lt William Randell Crecelius, pilot,
2nd Lt John R. Powell, copilot,
T/Sgt John L. Shupe, flight engineer,
Sgt Robert S. Fazio, radio operator.
Passengers:
Cpt Orlen N. Loverin,
1st Lt George K. Snyder,
2nd Lt William B. Graham,
T/Sgt Carlos M. Bane,
Cpt Robert J. Simons,
Maj Hoyt A. Ross,
Lt Rebecca Williams,
3rd Cl Jack Hayman Staggs,
C. G. M. Carline,
Lt W. M. Samuelson,
Lt Thomas Smith,
Lt Ernestine Korranda,
W/O Herbert R. Johnson,
Lt Harry Gillies,
Pvt Herbert J. Mathias,
Sgt Charles Dolan,
Harold George Dick,
William Bramwell Tibbs,
Cpl William Barry Sleep,
Cpl Thomas William Shard,
Pvt Benjamin Rasmussen,
Cpt John Hugho Weir,
Cpt Alexander William Robert Geddes,
Lt Nigel James Bruce MacDonald,
LAC Donald Cantrol Cameron,
LAC Raymond Kingsley Oster,
Cpt Crawford Derek Mollison.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld56.htm

While flying along the east shore of Queensland, the left engine failed. For unknown reason, the propeller was not feathered, causing an excessive drag. In such situation, the captain decided to ditch the aircraft 1,5 km south of the Turtle Head Island. While all 14 occupants were rescued, the aircraft sank and was lost. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying a load of cargo for a total of 2,740 kilos and 660 gallons of fuel. This caused the plane to be 1206 lbs (550 kg) overloaded.
Crew (36th Squadron):
F/Lt John Donellan Balfe, pilot,
Sgt Norman Properjohn,
F/Sgt T. H. Dennis.
Passengers:
P/O L. R. Ballard,
W/O P. G. Brown,
F/Lt R. S. Lovell,
Sgt R. Lucus,
ACI M. Van de Velde,
ACI E. C. Nason,
LAC C. T. Haylen,
LAC S. S. Collinson,
F/Sgt F. Potten,
Lt Fagg,
Col Collines.

En route from Townsville-Garbutt Field with radar equipment on board, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances some 15 miles south of Croydon. The wreckage was found few hours later and both crew members were killed.

The crew was completing a training exercise. For unknown reason, the aircraft overshot and collided with a boundary fence. While all four crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crashed on landing at Townsville-Garbutt Airfield for unknown reason. There were no casualties.