NZ4561

On October 5, 1944 at 10:00 AM, NZ4561 experienced a crash involving Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Olevuga Island All Solomon Islands.

The flight was categorized as survey / patrol / reconnaissance and the reported phase was flight at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. During an anti-submarine mission, one of the engine failed. The captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to ditch the aircraft when control was lost. Aircraft dove into the sea and crashed few miles off shore. All five crew members were killed. Crew (1st Squadron): P/O George Parker, P/O Thomas Vautier, F/Sgt Leo Comesky, Sgt Barry Rosenberg, Sgt Leslie Smith.

Aircraft reference details include registration NZ4561, MSN 6005.