Pitu – Ambon – Darwin
Flight / Schedule
Pitu – Ambon – Darwin
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
A65-83
MSN
16127/32875
Year of Manufacture
1945
Operator
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAFDate
December 19, 1945 at 11:50 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Timor Sea All World
Region
World • World
Narrative Report
On December 19, 1945 at 11:50 AM, Pitu – Ambon – Darwin experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, with the event recorded near Timor Sea All World.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was flight at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
25 people were known to be on board, 25 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: 21, passenger fatalities: 21, other fatalities: 0.
The aircraft arrived at Ambon Airport at 0850LT and the captain decided to wait for another RAAF C-47 flying from Darwin to have a briefing with the other crew about the enroute weather conditions. The aircraft left Ambon at 1040LT bound for Darwin but failed to arrive. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace from the aircraft nor the 25 occupants was found. Crew (35th Squadron): F/O F. Robinson, pilot, F/Lt N. J. Hazle, copilot, F/O G. R. Connell, wireless operator, Sgt F. Bodley, navigator. Passengers: Sgt W. Mullins, LAC L. H. Wilson, Pvt F. R. Carter, Pvt B. Pearchall, Cfn H. Arnold, Pvt K. Kripper, Cfn W. K. Arcus, Pvt R. Albertson, Sig J. E. Pollard, Spr S. E. Evans, Pvt R. Giochan, Cpt T. Walgett, Cpl L. R. Lishmind, Pvt R. Bowles, Pvt F. McCarthy, Pvt R. Burg, Cpt F. R. Barnett, Gnr H. Robins, Spr J. Wilson, Cpl R. Green, Able Seaman. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/
Aircraft reference details include registration A65-83, MSN 16127/32875, year of manufacture 1945.
Fatalities
Total
25
Crew
4
Passengers
21
Other
0
Crash Summary
The aircraft arrived at Ambon Airport at 0850LT and the captain decided to wait for another RAAF C-47 flying from Darwin to have a briefing with the other crew about the enroute weather conditions. The aircraft left Ambon at 1040LT bound for Darwin but failed to arrive. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace from the aircraft nor the 25 occupants was found. Crew (35th Squadron): F/O F. Robinson, pilot, F/Lt N. J. Hazle, copilot, F/O G. R. Connell, wireless operator, Sgt F. Bodley, navigator. Passengers: Sgt W. Mullins, LAC L. H. Wilson, Pvt F. R. Carter, Pvt B. Pearchall, Cfn H. Arnold, Pvt K. Kripper, Cfn W. K. Arcus, Pvt R. Albertson, Sig J. E. Pollard, Spr S. E. Evans, Pvt R. Giochan, Cpt T. Walgett, Cpl L. R. Lishmind, Pvt R. Bowles, Pvt F. McCarthy, Pvt R. Burg, Cpt F. R. Barnett, Gnr H. Robins, Spr J. Wilson, Cpl R. Green, Able Seaman. Source: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
21
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 25
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Pitu – Ambon – Darwin
Operator
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
World • World
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Compagnie Générale Transaérienne - CGT
Nieuport-Delage NiD-30
The pilot, sole on board, departed Paris-Le Bourget on a mail flight to Hounslow Heath, London. While cruising over The Channel, he encountered thick fog when the airplane crashed in the sea in unknown circumstances. The pilot was killed.
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF
Avro 504
The crew was performing a training flight out from Point Cook. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of 500 feet, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed, bursting into flames. One pilot was killed instantly while the second one died few hours later. This was the first accident involving an aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force which was officially founded a week ago on March 31, 1921. Crew: Lt James Fryer-Smith, pilot Cpl Bertie W. Whicker, mechanic.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij
Fokker F3
The aircraft departed Croydon Airport at 1043LT on a regular schedule service to Amsterdam with an intermediate stop in Rotterdam, carrying two passengers and one pilot. En route, the pilot encountered technical problems and diverted to Lympne Airport, Kent. After several repairs were made, he continued the flight with an unserviceable radio. While cruising over the North Sea (between The Channel and the North Sea), the pilot encountered foggy conditions when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea. As the aircraft failed to arrive in Rotterdam, SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. Crew: Adriaan Pijl, pilot. Passengers: Mr. W. J. van Hien, Mr. C. Modderman.
Regia Aeronautica
Dornier Do J Wal
The crew departed Pisa, Italy, last 25 July to perform a transatlantic flight to Canada on behalf of the 'Commissariato Aeronautica', the ancient name of the Italian Air Force. The seaplane made stops in Saint-Raphaël, south of France, Lausanne (quai of Ouchy on Lake of Geneva), Strasbourg, Rotterdam, Hull, Stromness (Orkneys Islands), Feroe Islands and Reykjavik. While flying over the Sea of Labrador, some 180 km south of Cape Farewell, Greenland, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The twin engine seaplane landed safely and the crew sent several mayday message. All five occupants were later rescued and evacuated by the crew of 'USS Richmond' which deviated from his route to the accident site. In a rough sea, the seaplane sank later and was lost and not recovered. Crew: Lt Antonio Locatelli, pilot, Lt Crosio, Lt Marescalchi, Mr. Braccini, flight engineer, Mr. Falcinelli, flight engineer.
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF
Avro 504
The pilot was performing a night training flight at Point Cook Airport. On final approach, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed near the airport. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF
Avro 504
Crashed on final approach while performing a local training mission. Both crew members were injured.