Guadalcanal - Luganville

On January 17, 1944 at 02:45 PM, Guadalcanal - Luganville experienced a crash involving Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Espíritu Santo All Vanuatu.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

7 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. While approaching Vanuatu in heavy rain falls, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Cape Queiros. On site, no survivor was found. Crew: Flight Lieutenant Peter Wood, Pilot Officer Francis Baird, Flight Sergeant Robert Carter, Sergeant Thomas Murray, Flight Sergeant Brian Vesty, Corporal Edward Ayrey, Leading Aircraftman Raymond Goff.

Aircraft reference details include registration NZ4520, MSN 5533.