Luganville - Luganville
Flight / Schedule
Luganville - Luganville
Aircraft
Lockheed PV-1 VenturaRegistration
NZ4538
MSN
5740
Operator
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAFDate
April 6, 1944 at 12:27 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Training
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Luganville All Vanuatu
Region
Oceania • Vanuatu
Narrative Report
On April 6, 1944 at 12:27 PM, Luganville - Luganville experienced a crash involving Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Luganville All Vanuatu.
The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was flight 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 crew was engaged in a bombing exercise over the Palikulo Bay, off Luganville. The twin engine aircraft left Luganville Airport in the morning, and while performing a turn, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that overturned and dove into the sea few yards off shore. All seven occupants were killed. Crew (9th Squadron): F/L Gordon McLachlan, F/L Bernard O'Fagan, F/O Maxwell Harwood, F/O Lionel Wood, P/O Augustine Thurston, Lt R. Fresb, A. Stinson, air gunner.
Aircraft reference details include registration NZ4538, MSN 5740.
Fatalities
Total
7
Crew
7
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew was engaged in a bombing exercise over the Palikulo Bay, off Luganville. The twin engine aircraft left Luganville Airport in the morning, and while performing a turn, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that overturned and dove into the sea few yards off shore. All seven occupants were killed. Crew (9th Squadron): F/L Gordon McLachlan, F/L Bernard O'Fagan, F/O Maxwell Harwood, F/O Lionel Wood, P/O Augustine Thurston, Lt R. Fresb, A. Stinson, air gunner.
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 7
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Luganville - Luganville
Operator
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAFFlight Type
Training
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
Oceania • Vanuatu
Aircraft Details
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