Truscott - Truscott

On May 20, 1945 at 12:00 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 survey / patrol / reconnaissance and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

11 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 11, crew fatalities: 11, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is other causes. Taking off at night from Truscott airstrip the aircraft became airborne approximately halfway down the strip. It is believed the aircraft became airborne early due to a noticeable hump in the airstrip causing the aircraft to suddenly climb approximately 20 feet. According to the witnesses who were part of a working party directly in front of the aircraft when it became airborne, the aircraft apparently veered left moving rather slowly, gaining little speed or height. The aircraft then rose to about 40 feet and then fell sharply to the ground a short distance away from it's initial point of take off. With fire crews quickly making their way to the scene any hope of finding survivors was lost when a number depth charges the aircraft was carrying exploded. Crew (12th Squadron): F/Lt F. L. Sismey, pilot, F/O W. S. Bell, W/O T. N. Rust, W/O B. L. Cox, F/Sgt L. Duncanson, F/Sgt L. M. Bailey, F/Sgt I. N. L. Eadton, F/Sgt T. W. Allan, F/Sgt D. D. Benson, F/Sgt J. A. Hollis, F/Sgt J. R. W. Herps. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Aircraft reference details include registration A72-160.