Roi-Namur - Kwajalein

The crew was engaged in a short positioning flight from Roi-Namur Airport (north part of the Kwajalein atoll) to the main airport of Kwajalein located on the south part of the same atoll. During the takeoff roll on runway 04, the captain decided to abort for unknown reason. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest into the sea. The left wing was broken in two and the aircraft was later removed from water but declared as damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries among the 16 occupants. Special thanks to US Army Louis D. Sutton, PIC on the following US Army C-54 that should takeoff immediately after the accident one, for his testimony.

Flight / Schedule

Roi-Namur - Kwajalein

Registration

42-72650

MSN

10755

Year of Manufacture

1945

Date

June 28, 1977 at 08:30 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Roi-Namur All Marshall Islands

Region

Oceania • Marshall Islands

Narrative Report

On June 28, 1977 at 08:30 AM, Roi-Namur - Kwajalein experienced a crash involving Douglas C-54 Skymaster, operated by United States Army, with the event recorded near Roi-Namur All Marshall Islands.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

16 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 16 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 12, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The crew was engaged in a short positioning flight from Roi-Namur Airport (north part of the Kwajalein atoll) to the main airport of Kwajalein located on the south part of the same atoll. During the takeoff roll on runway 04, the captain decided to abort for unknown reason. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest into the sea. The left wing was broken in two and the aircraft was later removed from water but declared as damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries among the 16 occupants. Special thanks to US Army Louis D. Sutton, PIC on the following US Army C-54 that should takeoff immediately after the accident one, for his testimony.

Aircraft reference details include registration 42-72650, MSN 10755, year of manufacture 1945.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

The crew was engaged in a short positioning flight from Roi-Namur Airport (north part of the Kwajalein atoll) to the main airport of Kwajalein located on the south part of the same atoll. During the takeoff roll on runway 04, the captain decided to abort for unknown reason. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest into the sea. The left wing was broken in two and the aircraft was later removed from water but declared as damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries among the 16 occupants. Special thanks to US Army Louis D. Sutton, PIC on the following US Army C-54 that should takeoff immediately after the accident one, for his testimony.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

4

Passengers On Board

12

Estimated Survivors

16

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 16

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Roi-Namur - Kwajalein

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Oceania • Marshall Islands

Aircraft Details

Registration

42-72650

MSN

10755

Year of Manufacture

1945

Similar Plane Crashes

January 15, 1943 at 12:00 AM35 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The four-engine aircraft was performing a flight from the US to Casablanca via South America (probably Natal), on behalf of the Air Transport Command. The on board delegation was flying to Morocco to take part to a conference. Rumors of a bomb on board caused the crew to divert to Port of Spain. A screwdriver was found in the hatch containing the IFF device but no trace of a bomb. While flying over Suriname, the aircraft exploded in mid-air, disintegrated and crashed in an isolated area located 30 miles northeast of Paramaribo. All 35 occupants were killed, among them Eric Mowbray Night, author and creator of the fictional collie 'Lassie'. He was Major by the US Army Special Services as well. Two identical C-54 planes traveling just 1/2 hour before and after this plane noticed anti-aircraft fire coming from what appeared to be an enemy submarine. Crew (TWA): Benjamin Hart Dally Jr., pilot, Theodore M. Wagner, copilot, Samuel S. Dorrance, flight surgeon, Everett Lee Bacon, copilot, Jason E. Voss, navigator, James M. Kane, navigator, Clyde E. Quisenberry, flight engineer, Leonard La Frank, radio operator, Leo J. Moriarty, radio operator, Eugene A. Dempf, flight purser. Passengers: Maj Eric Mowbray Knight, Cpt Albert L. Seeman, Cpt Basil D. Gallagher, 1st Lt Charles W. Campbell, 1st Lt Peter D. Barnhart, 1st Lt Donald C. Martin, 2nd Lt Carl A. Matteo, 2nd Lt Robert B. Walker, 2nd Lt John T. Girling, 2nd Lt Thomas L. Gallagher, 2nd Lt Max Solomon, F/O Charles S. Shively, S/Sgt Russell A. Baughman, S/Sgt Ellis H. Roberts Jr., S/Sgt Heyward O. Wylie, S/Sgt Roger M. Stoflet, Sgt Oscar Spahr Jr., Sgt Charles S. Roberts Jr., Percy E. Foxworth, Harold D. Haberfeld, William Hodson, James W. Seeger, Charles Howell Brown, Osmon E. Henryson, Morris Lewis. Source: http://www.lassiecomehome.info/id8.html

July 9, 1943 at 01:27 PM3 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The C-54 was flying in formation with a Lockheed C-40A Electra Junior registered 38-546, so his crew could photograph the dropping of a dummy combat tank from the C-54. After the tank was released, the pilot of the C-40A made a quick turn to the left, striking the C-54 right wingtip. The C-40A entered a spin and crashed near the runway, killing all five crew members. The C-54 continued on for 700 feet, allowing two passengers to bail out. The plane then crashed in a vertical dive, killing three other crewmen. Source: http://www.joebaugher.com/

January 27, 1944 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason and came to rest in flames. At least one crew member was killed.

March 23, 1944 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Anguille Mountains, south of Stephenville. Crew fate unknown.

March 25, 1944 at 12:00 AM6 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The four engine aircraft was shot down by British fighters because it was approaching a ships convoy. The airplane was carrying dive flap modification kits for P-38's.

April 22, 1944 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Crash in unknown circumstances and was destroyed.