01981

Shortly after a night take off from Nouméa-La Tontouta Airport, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed on Mt Ousassio located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. Following the accident, Mt Ousassio was renamed Mt Kimball to honor the captain and his crew. Crew: Maj Skip Kimball, pilot, C/C Charlie Mottram 6.

Flight / Schedule

01981

Aircraft

Douglas DC-3

Registration

01981

MSN

4437

Year of Manufacture

1942

Date

October 9, 1942 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Mountains

Crash Location

Nouméa-La Tontouta New Caledonia

Region

Oceania • New Caledonia

Coordinates

-22.0149°, 166.2141°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On October 9, 1942 at 12:00 AM, 01981 experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-3, operated by United States Navy - USN, with the event recorded near Nouméa-La Tontouta New Caledonia.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a mountains crash site.

8 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after a night take off from Nouméa-La Tontouta Airport, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed on Mt Ousassio located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. Following the accident, Mt Ousassio was renamed Mt Kimball to honor the captain and his crew. Crew: Maj Skip Kimball, pilot, C/C Charlie Mottram 6.

Aircraft reference details include registration 01981, MSN 4437, year of manufacture 1942.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -22.0149°, 166.2141°.

Fatalities

Total

8

Crew

8

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

Shortly after a night take off from Nouméa-La Tontouta Airport, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed on Mt Ousassio located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. Following the accident, Mt Ousassio was renamed Mt Kimball to honor the captain and his crew. Crew: Maj Skip Kimball, pilot, C/C Charlie Mottram 6.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

8

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 8

Operational Details

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Mountains

Region / Country

Oceania • New Caledonia

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Douglas DC-3

Registration

01981

MSN

4437

Year of Manufacture

1942

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