Luganville – Whenuapai

On September 24, 1945 at 09:00 AM, Luganville – Whenuapai experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, with the event recorded near Pacific Ocean All World.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was flight at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

20 people were known to be on board, 20 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 16, passenger fatalities: 16, other fatalities: 0.

Enroute from Vanuatu to Whenuapai, the crew made a last radio call around 0900. While flying in marginal weather conditions (thunderstorm activity and turbulence), the aircraft failed to arrive and probably crashed into the south Pacific ocean. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. Crew: F/O Jack Hoffeins, pilot, F/O Kenneth McArthur, navigator, P/O Clifton Kennedy, wireless operator and air gunner, Cpl John Jacobs, flight engineer.

Aircraft reference details include registration NZ3526, MSN 14562/26007, year of manufacture 1944.