Piva – Emirau
Flight / Schedule
Piva – Emirau
Aircraft
Lockheed PV-1 VenturaRegistration
NZ4623
MSN
6338
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAFDate
January 6, 1945 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Piva Autonomous Region of Bougainville
Region
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Coordinates
-6.2168°, 155.0727°
Narrative Report
On January 6, 1945 at 12:00 AM, Piva – Emirau experienced a crash involving Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Piva Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) 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.
Few minutes after take off from Piva Aerodrome, en route to Emirau Island, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea some 15 miles offshore. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found, except two dinghies and a headset. Crew (4th Squadron): W/Cdr Norman Lecher, F/Lt John Wright, F/Lt Harald Thomson, W/O William Boughey, F/O Barclay Harrington, Sgt Lewis Mawson, Sgt Rex Mossman.
Aircraft reference details include registration NZ4623, MSN 6338, year of manufacture 1944.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -6.2168°, 155.0727°.
Fatalities
Total
7
Crew
7
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
Few minutes after take off from Piva Aerodrome, en route to Emirau Island, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea some 15 miles offshore. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found, except two dinghies and a headset. Crew (4th Squadron): W/Cdr Norman Lecher, F/Lt John Wright, F/Lt Harald Thomson, W/O William Boughey, F/O Barclay Harrington, Sgt Lewis Mawson, Sgt Rex Mossman.
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
Piva – Emirau
Operator
Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
Oceania • Papua New Guinea
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Guinea Airways
De Havilland DH.9
Shortly after takeoff from Wau Airport, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the Bulolo River, some 8 miles north of the airport. While both occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Airgold
Ryan B-1 Brougham
On approach to Lae, the single engine airplane stalled and crashed in the sea. Both occupants were rescued and the aircraft sank and was lost.
Airgold
Avro 504
While on approach to Lae, the single engine airplane crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were injured.
Guinea Airways
Junkers W.34
On final approach to Wau, the aircraft stalled and crashed. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Ellyou Goldfields Development Corporation
Handley Page H.P.27
En route from Salamaua to Wau, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Misim located in the Kuper Range, some 10 km east of Wau. The occupant fate remains unknown.
Guinea Airways
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
On the last segment, while landing, the aircraft was caught by strong winds. The single engine airplane hit the ground, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While both occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.