A72-159

Crashed in the region of Dili while performing a reconnaissance mission. Failed to return to its base and no trace of the aircraft nor the 15 occupants was found. Crew: F/O A. Clark, pilot, F/O G. M. Manning, copilot, F/O T. T. Biltoft, F/Lt H. R. Campbell, F/O H. J. Clark, F/O H. A. J. Jones, F/Lt J. W. Rice, F/O L. J. Brown, F/Sgt C. A. R. Gamble, Sgt H. Riley, Passengers: Lt A. F. Wilkins, Sgt K. H. Bell, Cpl A. L. Lilya, Cpl J. A. Nicol, Sgt K. M. Marshall.

Flight / Schedule

A72-159

Registration

A72-159

MSN

5908

Date

May 17, 1945 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

Dili All Timor Leste

Region

Asia • Timor Leste

Narrative Report

On May 17, 1945 at 12:00 AM, A72-159 experienced a crash involving Consolidated B-24 Liberator, operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, with the event recorded near Dili All Timor Leste.

The flight was categorized as survey / patrol / reconnaissance and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

15 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 10, crew fatalities: 10, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

Crashed in the region of Dili while performing a reconnaissance mission. Failed to return to its base and no trace of the aircraft nor the 15 occupants was found. Crew: F/O A. Clark, pilot, F/O G. M. Manning, copilot, F/O T. T. Biltoft, F/Lt H. R. Campbell, F/O H. J. Clark, F/O H. A. J. Jones, F/Lt J. W. Rice, F/O L. J. Brown, F/Sgt C. A. R. Gamble, Sgt H. Riley, Passengers: Lt A. F. Wilkins, Sgt K. H. Bell, Cpl A. L. Lilya, Cpl J. A. Nicol, Sgt K. M. Marshall.

Aircraft reference details include registration A72-159, MSN 5908.

Fatalities

Total

15

Crew

10

Passengers

5

Other

0

Crash Summary

Crashed in the region of Dili while performing a reconnaissance mission. Failed to return to its base and no trace of the aircraft nor the 15 occupants was found. Crew: F/O A. Clark, pilot, F/O G. M. Manning, copilot, F/O T. T. Biltoft, F/Lt H. R. Campbell, F/O H. J. Clark, F/O H. A. J. Jones, F/Lt J. W. Rice, F/O L. J. Brown, F/Sgt C. A. R. Gamble, Sgt H. Riley, Passengers: Lt A. F. Wilkins, Sgt K. H. Bell, Cpl A. L. Lilya, Cpl J. A. Nicol, Sgt K. M. Marshall.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

10

Passengers On Board

5

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 15

Operational Details

Flight Type

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Phase

Flight

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

Asia • Timor Leste

Aircraft Details

Registration

A72-159

MSN

5908

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