A65-107

On December 12, 1945 at 09:00 AM, A65-107 experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, with the event recorded near Pitu (Morotai Island) North Maluku.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was parking at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

0 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated.

Crew on board: 0, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 1.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Six technicians were attempting to start engines after a 60 hourly maintenance. The aircraft was not refueled after arriving some 36 hours previously on a flight to collect supplies. It had been standing out in the open in heat for some 16 hours with a possible built up of fuel fumes from leaky tanks or lines. The aircraft suffered an explosion from an electrical short, within the fuselage, causing a fire that consumed the aircraft. All six crew were injured and one of them died from his injuries few hours later. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. Crew: Cpl S. M. Williams, LAC W. J. Wythes, C. H. Cruickshank, S. B. Wetzler, McLoughlin, Brown. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/

Aircraft reference details include registration A65-107, MSN 16554/33302, year of manufacture 1945.