Truscott - Truscott

On March 23, 1945 at 07:13 AM, Truscott - Truscott experienced a crash involving Consolidated B-24 Liberator, operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, with the event recorded near Truscott AFB Western Australia.

The flight was categorized as bombing and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

12 people were known to be on board, 12 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 12, crew fatalities: 12, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The heavy bomber left Truscott AFB at 0650LT on a bombing mission over Bali and Lombok. Shortly after takeoff, the crew contacted the tower to inform that he encountered problems to gain height. Several distress calls were sent and 23 minutes later, the aircraft crashed into the Vansittart Bay, off Truscott. All 12 crew members were killed and only three bodies were found. Crew (24th Squadron): S/L N. H. Straus, pilot, F/Sgt Boyd, copilot, F/Sgt R. M. Morris, flight engineer, F/Lt C. D. Parry-Okenden, navigator, F/O R. A. Whiting, navigator, F/O J. W. Hursthouse, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O W. R. Flanagan, wireless operator and air gunner, W/O H. G. Parker, air gunner, F/Sgt J. R. Ryan, air gunner, F/Sgt A. J. Rogers, air gunner, Sgt A. D. Whitehead, air gunner, Cpl D. W. Madden.

Aircraft reference details include registration A72-80, MSN 5386, year of manufacture 1944.