Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

De Havilland C-7A Caribou

Damaged beyond repair following structural failure due to fatigue upon landing at Efogi, PNG. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and dismantled.

Boeing 707

The aircraft departed Richmond on a flight to Avalon, carrying five crew members. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet along the coast, the aircraft lost height and plunged in the sea. The wreckage was found about one km off Woodside Beach and all five occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were good. Crew: Cpt Mark Lewin, pilot, F/Lt Tim Ellis, copilot, F/Lt Mark Duncan, pilot, W/O Jon Fawcett, flight engineer, W/O Al Gwynne, loadmaster.

Lockheed P-3 Orion

The aircraft was engaged in a local flight and was carrying 17 passengers and a crew of four. After takeoff from Cocos Island Airport, the crew climbed to 5,000 feet then reduced his altitude for a low pass over the airport. Approaching the airport at a speed of 380 knots and at a height of about 300 feet, the pilot-in-command increased engine power in a way to gain height when the aircraft lost several pieces from the left wing. Due to severe vibrations and problems of controllability, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing near the airport. The aircraft struck the ground, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in shallow water. A passenger was killed after being hit by propeller blades that punctured the fuselage. All 20 other occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

GAF Nomad N.24

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Edinburgh AFB. On approach, the tail separated and the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed near the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot F/Lt Glenn Kemshall Donovan was killed.

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

The crew was completing a local training flight at Camden Airport. On final approach, the pilot-in-command initiated a go-around when the aircraft stalled and crashed. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

The aircraft was completing a flight from Lae to Port Moresby, carrying three crew members and 26 cadets of the PNG Army. After passing over Wau in good weather conditions, the pilot decided to enter the Kudjeru Gap Valley when the weather conditions worsened rapidly with clouds up to 10,500 feet. At an altitude of 5,000 feet while trying to gain height, the right wing struck trees and the aircraft crashed on the slope of a mountain, about 50 meters below the summit. The wreckage was found three days later. Five injured passengers were evacuated but one of them died from his injuries.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Belly landed at Townsville Airport for unknown reasons. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Tapini Airstrip on a supply mission. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were injured.

Lockheed P-3 Orion

The crew was completing a local test flight on this new aircraft which should be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force. Upon landing, one of the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in flames. While all four crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

While approaching An Th<U+1EDB>i Airfield, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into a river. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were rescued.

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

After touchdown at Porgera Airfield, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and eventually collided with an embankment. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

Upon landing at A Ro Airstrip, the right main gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair and later scrapped.

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

The crew was completing a local training flight at Nowra Airport. On final approach, the airplane crashed short of runway threshold and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft and crew had been travelling to a number of locations around Australia on a task for NASA, and were in WA calibrating the Muchea Tracking Station in support of a Project Mercury space launch. They had intended to leave for home base, RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia, earlier in the day, however the calibration had been delayed due to technical difficulties at Muchea which, being a mobile tracking station, was not as electronically stable as the fixed installations. A65-106 finally departed Pearce off Runway 18 after dusk and in passing rain showers. During initial climb, the airplane crashed few km from the airfield. All four crew members were killed while all three passengers were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. Crew: F/O W. J. Bowden, pilot, F/Sgt P. F. Davis, copilot, F/O R. G. White, navigator, F/Lt A. J. Cook, signaller. Passengers: LAC R. A. Leiper, LAC W. Miles, Mr. N. A. McBain. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew was involved in a navigation exercise on behalf of the 38th Squadron. On approach to Wau, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the jungle. All eight crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

The crew was engaged in a local training mission out from Richmond AFB, NSW. En route, a fire erupted in the right engine nacelle and the crew obtained the permission to return for an emergency landing. The fire quickly spread to the engine and the right wing which detached shortly later. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a prairie and was totally destroyed upon impact. All eight crew members were killed. Crew (11th Squadron): S/Ldr Geoffrey Ronald Cullen, pilot, P/O George Ivan Holmes, copilot, F/Lt Robert Alfred De-Russett-Kydd, navigator, F/Sgt John Michael Rock, navigator, S/Ldr Joseph Kevin McDonald, signaler, F/O Frederick John Wood, signaler, P/O Terence Patrick O'Sullivan, signaler, W/O Vincent Joseph McCarthy, signaler.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Parked at East Sale Airport, the airplane was illegally taken by a RAAF aircraftman. Shortly after takeoff, the 'pilot' lost control of the airplane that crashed near the runway end. The airplane was destroyed and the sole occupant was killed. The aircraftman did not held any pilot license.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Shortly after takeoff from runway 30 at Canberra Airport, while on a local training mission, the left engine lost power. Due to a technical issue on the regulator, the crew was unable to shot down the engine and to feather the propeller. The pilot-in-command continued to the south and while approaching Mt Pleasant, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames at Duntroon, west of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt H. N.MacDonald, pilot, F/Sgt N. H. Charlton, copilot, Sgt I. A. Makrill, navigator, Sgt M. C. Coombe, signaler.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. There were no injuries.

Avro 694 Lincoln

10 Squadron RAAF had received a telephone call late on Good Friday night from the Townsville hospital seeking an emergency evacuation to Brisbane of a critically jaundiced 2 day old baby, Robyn Huxley. As most of the Squadron's air crew were on leave or stand-down over Easter, the Commanding Officer of 10 Squadron, Wing Commander John Costello decided to pilot the Squadron's only serviceable aircraft, A73-64, for the evacuation flight. The crew consisted of the new Commanding Officer Wing Commander Costello who had flown Sunderlands during the war against the German U Boats in the Atlantic, the Senior Navigation Officer, Squadron Leader Finlay, who was a wartime Pathfinder navigator, the squadron Chief Signaler, Flight Lieutenant Cater, and the squadron Senior Engineering Officer, Squadron Leader Mason. The baby girl and nurse Mafalda Gray were positioned in the long-nosed section of the Lincoln bomber. The aircraft took off from Garbutt airfield at 00.30 am on Saturday 9 April 1955. The aircraft encountered some cloud and rain as it approached southern Queensland. The aircraft had to fly at a relatively low altitude to ensure the baby had a comfortable flight. At 4.05 am the aircraft contacted Brisbane Air Traffic Control to advise that they were flying in cloud at 6,000 feet. They advised that they would arrive in Brisbane in about 10 minutes time and sought a clearance to reduce altitude to 5,000 feet. Brisbane Air Traffic Control advised that they were cleared to drop to 5,000 feet and if they wished they could drop to 4,000 feet for the approach to Eagle Farm airfield. A short time later Brisbane Air Traffic Control contacted them with weather information and asked them to confirm when they had obtained a visual fix on the town of Caboolture. No further reports were heard from the Lincoln bomber. There were no low clouds in the Brisbane area at that time. Some time later, reports came in that an aircraft, later confirmed as a Lincoln, was heard to circle over the town of Bell at about 3.30 am. Bell is located about 18 miles north east of Dalby. Clearly A73-64 was well off course. The weather south of Bell was overcast with scattered rain. At 4.14 am some members of the Brisbane Bushwalking Club heard a large aircraft fly overhead followed by the noise of an impact and some large explosions. By their estimation it had slammed into a nearby mountain in the Main Range region of the Border Ranges near Emu Vale. This was later confirmed to be Mount Superbus, the highest mountain (1,375 meters) in southern Queensland. A small group from the Bushwalking club was dispatched immediately to Emu Vale to notify the relevant authorities. Five hours later a Canberra bomber from Amberley airbase was able to confirm the location of the still burning wreckage of Lincoln, A73-64 just below the summit of Mount Superbus. Ground rescue crews were dispatched to the site. They quickly confirmed that there were no survivors. Crew (10th Squadron): W/Cdr John Peter Costello, pilot, S/Ldr Charles Surtees Mason, copilot, S/Ldr John Watson Finlay, navigator, F/Lt William George Stanley Cater, signaler. Passengers: Baby Robyn Huxley, Sister Mafalda Gray. Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/superbus.htm

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft took off from Sale bound for Bathurst and Richmond. During the flight the starboard engine lost power but the plane was able to make a safe landing at Canberra. No cause for the engine failure could be found and the next morning the DC-3 departed Canberra for Sale (East Sale Airbase). At approximately 11am, just before reaching Mt Kosciuszko, the starboard engine again failed. This time however the plane lost altitude dramatically and was subject to severe turbulence. The only option was to attempt a forced landing. At that point an open flat appeared amongst the mass of forested mountains. Laurie Hawes and Bernie Mullen struggled to control the stricken aircraft while Frank Howie sent out a distress signal. They circled the flat and made their approach. Before the Dakota could land it had to clear a ridge which resulted in too much height and speed for landing on the open ground. The Murray River had to be negotiated, which runs across the flat as a small gully, as well as the severe turbulence and only one functioning engine. In the few remaining seconds Laurie made the decision to stall the plane into the timber on the south-western side of the flat. There was a group of three trees in a triangle, which he attempted to position the plane between. Hopefully they would take the force of the wings and nose. One of the trees was a little further forward than anticipated and as the Dakota hit the timber it skewed around. A large eucalyptus crashed into the cockpit destroying the starboard side where Bernie Mullen sat. The port wing sheared off and one of the blades of the starboard propeller sliced through the floor of the signaler's compartment. Finally the plane came to a halt. Laurie recalls "the silence was deafening". Frank and Eric escaped with slight lacerations and they released Laurie who was trapped by his legs and had sustained a deep laceration to his calf. All were suffering from shock but fearing an explosion they dragged the unconscious Bernie away from the wreckage. Nothing could be done for him. He had multiple injuries and died a few minutes after the impact. The survivors set about finding some shelter and wondered if they would be rescued from this remote location and when it might be. The weather was cold and miserable. The only shelter was the chimney of an old stockman's hut ruin on the northern side of the flat. Fortunately the distress signal that Frank sent immediately prior to the crash had been received. A little over one hour after impact a RAAF search plane piloted by Flight Sergeant Frank Daniel located the survivors. Through a series of weighted paper messages search planes were able to communicate with those on the ground and drop them survival rations. Two ground search parties then set out. The first was led by Omeo policeman Lionel Baddeley and contained several men with local knowledge, amongst them four of the Pendergasts, one of the local pioneering mountain families. The second party was the RAAF search party led by Group Captain W. N. Gibson. Baddeley's party camped out then pushed on in the early hours of August 26. They drove as far as they could and then continued on foot via an old overgrown mining track for another 10 miles. Late that morning they reached the survivors. After a short rest the long trek out began. The airmen were stiff, sore and no doubt still in shock. Their rescuers were tired having already covered the rugged, densely vegetated terrain. In addition they had to carry out Bernie Mullen's body on a bush stretcher made from saplings. All found the trip arduous. Just before nightfall they reached the vehicles. From there they drove to Benambra and spent the night at the pub. Frank Howie recalls "After the hospitality of the locals in the public bar no one needed rocking that night." The next day the airmen returned to Sale. Before long Laurie Hawes was flying again. It was business as normal and the flat at the headwaters of the Murray returned to its former tranquility. Nowadays there is little left of Dakota DC3, A65-50. The RAAF removed parts for the crash investigation and the Snowy Mountains Authority built a hut using materials salvaged from the shell. People wanting a souvenir of the site took the remainder piece by piece. With so little of the aircraft left, the story of Dakota DC-3, A65-50 was likely to be lost and with it another part of our alpine heritage. Historian's Noel Gough and Dianne Carroll have spent a great deal of time and effort researching this story and documenting it. They tracked down survivors of the crash and their rescuers and a reunion was held to mark the event on 15th and 16th March this year at the Benambra Hotel, where the aircrew was first taken after their ordeal. Staff attended the gathering from Alpine and Kosciuszko National Parks who now manage the grassy flat where the DC-3 came to rest. As one of the attendees at the reunion, it was a privilege to hear the survivors and rescuers recount their versions of the events first hand. A commemorative souvenir has been produced which gives a full account of this story. It is available from Dianne Carrol. Crew: F/Lt Laurie Hawes, pilot, F/O Bernard Mullein, copilot, † F/Lt Eric Walker, navigator, P/O Frank Howie, signaler. Source: Amanda Carey Ranger Namadgi National Park ACT Parks & Conservation Service Despite the credit given above to Gough and Carroll, it was Canberra historian Matthew Higgins who researched and wrote the story of the plane’s last flight, the crash, and the rescue. It is his article that appears in the commemorative souvenir booklet, though without adequate acknowledgement.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Shortly after takeoff from Iwakuni AFB, while climbing to an altitude of 300 feet, the left engine caught fire. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea about 1,500 meters offshore. Both pilots were injured while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Bristol 170 Freighter

While on an IFR training flight from Mallala by day in clear weather, the port mainplane parted from the fuselage. The aircraft crashed into a wheat field 2 miles from the RAAF Station. The three crew members were killed. The crash set the wheat field ablaze and the RAAF Mallala fire crews had to extinguish the the field fire to reach the crash site. The port wing was found 1.5 miles away. Crew: F/Lt J. D. Entwhistle, F/O Leonard Murphy F/O Donald Shillinglaw. Source: http://www.goodall.com.au

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft left Sydney-Mascot at 1034LT on a meteorological mission consisting of clouds measurement with four crew members and two employees of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). While flying in poor weather conditions, the crew obtained the permission to descend from 6,000 to 2,000 feet when both engines failed simultaneously. The airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 27 miles east of Wollongong. Few debris were found floating on water and all six occupants have been killed. Crew: F/Lt A. Tafe, pilot, S/Ldr P. G. Fisher, copilot, W/O G. G. Bocquet, radio operator, ACW M. E. Costello. Passengers: Mr. F. Campbell, Mr. R. S. Styles.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew was completing a supply mission to the federated Malaysian Police station based at Kampong Aur. On final approach, the left engine failed and the aircraft crash landed in a field. The undercarriage and both engines were sheared off and all eight occupants were slightly injured. Crew: S/L A. H. Birch, pilot, Cpt Headlam, copilot, F/Lt R. B. Denniston, navigator, F/Lt W. G. Smith, wireless operator. Passengers: Cpl J. Middleton, Dvr W. Wilkinson, Dvr R. Ennis, Dvr C. Christie.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on landing. There were no casualties.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

On the leg from Townsville to Darwin, while cruising 30 km from Georgetown, the flight engineer informed the pilot about a fuel leak on the left engine. The captain decided to divert to Georgetown Airport for an emergency landing but on final, the seaplane was unstable, banking left and right. The pilot increased power on the right engine and attempted a go around when the aircraft banked right, stalled, overturned and crashed in flames in a field located about 5 km from the airport. Five crew members were killed instantly while two others were seriously injured. One of the survivors died from his injuries few hours later. Crew: F/Lt David Northey, pilot, † John Gilbert Humprey Alexander, pilot, † Leo Maurice Sattler, pilot, † Alexander John Brown, navigator, † Frank Slater, flight engineer, Maurice Henry Wood, flight engineer, † William Bedford, wireless operator. †

Avro 694 Lincoln

Shortly after takeoff from Amberley AFB, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 8 miles south of Rosewood. All four crew members were killed. Apparently, the loss of control occurred when a parachute release box apparently jammed the control column.

Avro 652 Anson

While on a training sortie, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the Bass Strait, few km off Lakes Entrance. The wreckage was found two days later. All five crew members were killed.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Rathmines-based No 11 Squadron suffered the loss of a Catalina amphibian and seven crewmen in a night crash on Lord Howe Island on this day. The aircraft had completed the outward leg of a navigation exercise to the island and altered course for home when a serious fuel leak began filling the compartment with petrol vapor 20 minutes into the return leg. The captain decided to turn back to Lord Howe and attempt a landing on the island’s sheltered lagoon. After crossing the island west to east, the aircraft turned back before clipping the ridge line below Malabar Hill at about 1930LT. The Catalina careered down the slope before exploding in flames. Local residents who rushed to the scene extracted two seriously injured crew from the wreck. The death toll was the highest suffered by the RAAF in a peacetime accident up until that time. Crew (11th Squadron): F/Lt Malcolm D. Smith, † F/Lt James McCoy, † F/Lt William D. Keller, † F/Lt Alex McKenzie, † Sydney L. Piercey, pilot, † W/O Sydney H. Bacon, † W/O Donald E. Salis, † F/LT Bert R. Bradley, W/O John D. Lea. Source: http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/HistoryRecord/HistoryRecordDetail.aspx?rid=534

Avro 652 Anson

During a training sortie in Laverton AFB, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and made an emergency landing in a field located one mile north of the airbase. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Avro 694 Lincoln

The aircraft departed Laverton at 1415LT for Amberley. Aeradio position reports were received normally through out the flight, until 1734LT, when clearance was obtained to descend from 8000 feet preparatory to the landing at Amberley. A short time later Amberley Flight Control cleared the aircraft for a straight-in approach RWY 05 at an angle of 45 degrees, turn right to align itself with the runway and commence to lose height on the approach - which appeared to be lower and faster that usual. The aircraft touched down in a tail high attitude, approximately 300 feet after crossing the threshold. After travelling a short distance, the aircraft then left the ground, rising to about five feet. From eyewitness reports, attempts were then made by the crew to force the aircraft onto the runway but this only resulted in three more bounces. When about 600 feet from the upwind end of the runway, engine power was applied to make a go around. It is estimated by ground observers that, by this stage, the airspeed of the Lincoln had decreased to approximately 80-85 knots. The Lincoln was then seen to climb slightly, level out at 100 feet, after which the nose of the aircraft rose sharply to place the aircraft in a climbing attitude of 40 degrees. After a further few seconds, the attitude changed abruptly to a climb of 80 degrees. With all engines roaring presumably under full power, the aircraft attained an altitude of approximately 500 feet AGL when, with no forward speed, the port wing slowly dropped and the aircraft steadily accelerated until the port main plane struck the ground in a vertical position. By this time the fuselage was parallel with the ground. The aircraft caught fire immediately and, although the fire tender arrived shortly after the crash, the fire could not be sufficiently controlled to extricate the crew or passengers. The crash site was 400 yards from the end of RWY 05 and displaced approximately 100 yards left of the runway. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

While completing a training flight in Darwin and flying along the coast, the right engine caught fire. The captain attempted to ditch the aircraft about 500 yards off the Mindil Beach. All five crew members were injured while the aircraft sank and was lost. Crew: F/Lt A. A. Lange, W/O R. McGrath, LAC B. R. Hanson, LAC R. S. Bowley, LAC J. J. Harvey.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Enroute, both left engines (number one and two) failed. The captain lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the Celebes Sea but was able to report his exact position. On scene, the crew of 'HMS Opposum' was able to evacuate eight wounded people while two others were killed. Crew (23rd Squadron): W/Cdr J. Handbury, pilot, W/O F. Welsh, copilot, F/Lt P. Mathews, navigator, † W/O C. McKenzie, wireless operator, W/O W. Nesbitt, radar operator, W/O R. Smith, flight engineer, F/Sgt D. Norton, flight engineer, Cpl E. Pye, fitter. Passengers: Cpt J. McFadden, Lt J. Potten. †

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on approach to Tacloban Airport for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

On landing, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While all four crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew: F/Lt Bagshaw, F/Lt Thompson, F/Lt Smith, P/O Jacobsen.

Noorduyn Norseman

Departed Cairns for Iron Range Camp, stopped at Cooktown for fuel then encountered severe weather conditions near Iron Range. Radio contact was lost and the aircraft reported missing. An aerial search was mounted over the next four days by RAAF and civilian search planes. Five days later, a Catalina located the wreckage near the old Claudie bush strip 10 miles south of Iron Range. A RAAF Court of Enquiry determined that the aircraft crashed after it struck a tree at 1445LT when trying to land at Claudie strip in bad weather. The aircraft was destroyed and all three on board were killed. Access to crash site was impossible because of flood waters. Crew: F/O Colin William Law, F/Sgt John Brian Crawford, F/Sgt George Morris Geisel. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft arrived at Ambon Airport at 0850LT and the captain decided to wait for another RAAF C-47 flying from Darwin to have a briefing with the other crew about the enroute weather conditions. The aircraft left Ambon at 1040LT bound for Darwin but failed to arrive. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace from the aircraft nor the 25 occupants was found. Crew (35th Squadron): F/O F. Robinson, pilot, F/Lt N. J. Hazle, copilot, F/O G. R. Connell, wireless operator, Sgt F. Bodley, navigator. Passengers: Sgt W. Mullins, LAC L. H. Wilson, Pvt F. R. Carter, Pvt B. Pearchall, Cfn H. Arnold, Pvt K. Kripper, Cfn W. K. Arcus, Pvt R. Albertson, Sig J. E. Pollard, Spr S. E. Evans, Pvt R. Giochan, Cpt T. Walgett, Cpl L. R. Lishmind, Pvt R. Bowles, Pvt F. McCarthy, Pvt R. Burg, Cpt F. R. Barnett, Gnr H. Robins, Spr J. Wilson, Cpl R. Green, Able Seaman. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Six technicians were attempting to start engines after a 60 hourly maintenance. The aircraft was not refueled after arriving some 36 hours previously on a flight to collect supplies. It had been standing out in the open in heat for some 16 hours with a possible built up of fuel fumes from leaky tanks or lines. The aircraft suffered an explosion from an electrical short, within the fuselage, causing a fire that consumed the aircraft. All six crew were injured and one of them died from his injuries few hours later. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. Crew: Cpl S. M. Williams, LAC W. J. Wythes, C. H. Cruickshank, S. B. Wetzler, McLoughlin, Brown. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft departed Jacquinot Bay Airstrip at 0900LT bound for Rabaul with Australian and Indian soldiers on board. About 20 minutes later, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of an unnamed mountain located in the region of the Wide Bay. The wreckage was found at 150 feet from the summit and all 28 occupants were killed. Crew (33rd Squadron): F/Lt Ron Alexander Hanrahan, pilot, F/Lt Grahame Patrick Lobwein, copilot, F/Sgt Douglas Albert Bruderlin, radio operator. Passengers: Sister Verdun Bernice Sheah, Cpl Hugh Cushing, Cpl Stanley William Bridge, LAC Maurice James Mills, LAC Norman Harold Blake, Seaman David Thomas Bristow, Seaman Edgar Murry Hancock, Lt John Lisle Honey, Lt Leonard Henry Beard, Lt Col Thomas Dennis Hannon, W/O Clive Frederick Martin, Maj Lionel Charles Saunders, Lt William Reaburn Grieve, Pvt Ronald Arthur Spencer Sepoy Lakhu Ram, Sepoy Shiv Singh, Cpl Dina Nath, Sepoy Jan Abdullah, Sepoy Chain Singh, Sgt Humir Singh, Sgt Chint Singh, 2nd Lt Abdul Ratif Sepoy Jogandel Singh, Cpl Shai Singh, Sepoy Chelu Rham.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Enroute, the aircraft started to lose height for no apparent reason as controls showed no response. It trimmed and climbed, then stalled, went into spin and flattened out at 3,000 feet above mean sea level. The pilot was able to regain control and then decided to ditch the aircraft off Labuan. While the aircraft sank, all 23 occupants were unhurt and took refuge in life rafts. They were rescued about 15 hours later some 150 miles east of Tarakan. Crew (345th Squadron): F/O A. Burns 2. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

While cruising in low visibility at an altitude of 14,200 feet, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the Carstensz Mountain Range. As it failed to arrive in Townsville, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The missionary Jerry Reeder discovered the wreckage with his Cessna 206 in June 1967. He had rented a vacant house to the DeLong Lumber Company that was doing a hardwood lumber survey in the area. Their superintendent, Mike Cramer, upon hearing about his discovery of a downed aircraft immediately made their Bell Jet-Ranger helicopter available to visit the site. The first attempt had to be aborted due to weather and a partial engine failure. They nearly crashed twice. But the next day they were able to spend two hours on the ground. They gathered three sets of dog tags and the pilot\\\\\\'s chart case which were turned into to the Australian Embassy in Singapore a month later. On December 10, 1970, walkers found the wreckage on the slope of a mountain located near Mt Puncak Jaya, southwest of Mulia, some 100 feet from the summit. It was later decided between Indonesian and Australian authorities to repatriate all remains back to Australia. This exercise was completed from May 23 to June 6, 2005. Crew (33rd Squadron): W/O Arthur Jack Hunter, pilot, W/O Albert Clifford Hughes, copilot, F/Sgt Kenneth Robert Wiles, wireless operator, W/O Eric Wilkinson, wireless operator, F/Sgt Allan George Sawrey, Sgt Francis Leonard Henry Blackmore. Passengers: W/O Allan Campbell, LAC William Royce Dunderdale, F/O Noel Royce Stibbard, Sister Marie Eileen Craig, Pvt Keith John Bowden, Pvt Laurie Anthony Coombe, George Phillip Duffy, Trevor John Eiszele, Pvt Mervyn John Ford, Sgt Arthur John Hyde, Frederick Joseph Ireland, Lt Alun Morris Jones, Pvt Arthur Trevor Jorgensen, James Francis MacDougall, Ronald Leslie Mathieson, Jonathan Matthews, Pvt John McAlorum, Pvt Ian Scott McDowall, Pvt Leonard Thomas Oakley, Pvt Ian Thomas Ray, Pvt Donald William Smith, Pvt James Ivan Tindall, Cpl George John Welch. Thanks to Jerry Reeder for his testimony.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Crashed whilst escorting a Catalina to an area near the southern tip of Borneo. As the Catalina landed and sent a party ashore to talk with the natives, the captain circled the area then left but flew too low and did not pullout of a shallow dive in time . The aircraft struck a coconut tree sending it crashing into the ground. It was only later that the Catalina crew were advised the Mitchell had crashed and proceeded to the area where the Mitchell had gone down and discovered two survivors. One of them died from his injuries few hours later. Crew (2nd Squadron): F/Lt Lawrence A. Kirk, pilot, † F/O L. Bishop, † F/O P. A. Taylor, † W/O C. R. M. Ricketts, † F/Sgt F. J. Stolweather, † Cpl R. O. Byrne, † LAC M. S. White, † F/Sgt Booth. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

The crew was performing a training mission from Amberley when he encountered problem with a propeller. From the ground, it appeared to everyone else that the problem was rectified satisfactorily and after completing a circuit of the airfield, the pilot advised that he would be returning to land but kept losing height until the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed 8 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 5 occupants were killed. Crew (99th Squadron): Lt G. A. Hendy, pilot, F/O R. F. Pullin, copilot, F/Sgt V. J. Quinn, navigator, Sgt Dureau, wireless operator, F/O J. H. Mutton. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. Both crewmen were uninjured while the aircraft was written off. Crew (38th Squadron): F/Lt F. H. Dyke 1.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

One minute after takeoff from Alotau Airport, while climbing, the captain informed ground he was encountering bad weather conditions and elected to return. Shortly later, the aircraft went out of control and apparently crashed into the sea off Alotau. Some debris were found a day later but no trace of the 19 occupants. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were unfavorable with turbulence and rain due to the presence of a tropical storm. Crew (33rd Squadron): F/Lt Eric Clarence Beer, pilot, F/Lt John Francis Mulcahy, F/Sgt Francis Xavier Sullivan. Passengers: Sgt Keith Hugh Devenish, AC1 Albert John Haslam, Cpl Neil Stuart Mackay, LAC William Douglas Goldie Stevens, Cpl Michael Francis Moran, Sgt Wesley Greg Doran, F/O William Patrick Reedman, F/Sgt James Neville Davis, F/Sgt Kevin Francis Rutherford, F/Lt William John Gordon, Cpl Eastall Lochlan Eastall, LAC Albert Grant Walton, LAC Percy Badon Healy, Cook Gordon Liddell, Lt Noel Thomas Williams, Spr Keith Smith.

Avro 652 Anson

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Sale while performing a training mission. Four crew members were injured while the pilot F/Sgt R. S. Hayward was killed.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

During takeoff, the aircraft became airborne but owing to insufficient flying speed, struck the water several times, bouncing severely on each occasion. It finally came to rest adjacent to the mangroves on the south eastern portion of East Arm where it sank due to a damaged hull. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew was performing a cargo flight to Tarakan Airfield. The landing was completed with a strong tail wind and after touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, veered off runway and came to rest in the bush. All three crew members were unhurt but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Crashed during takeoff from Amberley Airfield. Unfortunately the B-24 Liberator's brakes were applied too soon before the aircraft was safely in the air. As a consequence the nose of the aircraft dipped heavily into the runway causing the nose wheel assembly to collapse and also shearing the hydraulic lines for the engine controls. The aircraft subsequently skidded off the south east end of the runway into a 60 feet deep gulley and broke in half. Crew (99th Squadron): S/Ldr William Lloyd Milne, pilot W/O Eric Ferdinand Carlson, copilot, † F/Sgt Jack Grant Watson, flight engineer, F/Sgt Marcel Kingsley Doolan, radar operator, F/Sgt Warwick Manning Lane, air gunner, F/Sgt Andrew Keith Cochrane, wireless operator and air gunner, F/Sgt Allan Charles Annetts, air gunner, F/Sgt Arthur Henry Clausen, navigator. † Passengers: Sgt John Raymond Slennett Sgt John Knyvett Cpl Jacqueline Ruth Row, † Cpl Edith Tansley Sharpe, † Acw Ruth Beryl Burcher, LAC Waterman James Albert LAC William Angus Ludbey, AC1 Keith William Carlier, LAC Douglas Charles Mighell, LAC Leslie Arthur White, LAC Mervyn John Edward Thornberry. Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld245.htm