Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 2 February 1944
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47A-20-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 42-23487
Location: off Papua New Guinea –
ÿ Papua New Guinea
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Aircraft missing, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 22 / Occupants: 22
Component Affected: Douglas C-47A aircraftDouglas C-47A aircraft
Category: Accident
A Douglas C-47A aircraft lost contact during flight from Townsville-Garbutt Airfield to Gurney Airfield in Papua New Guinea, with weather conditions including periods of rainfall and cumulonimbus peaks at 18-20,000 feet. Radio communication with Horn Island Radio ceased before a response from Milne Bay could be received.A Douglas C-47A aircraft lost contact during flight from Townsville-Garbutt Airfield to Gurney Airfield in Papua New Guinea, with weather conditions including periods of rainfall and cumulonimbus peaks at 18-20,000 feet. Radio communication with Horn Island Radio ceased before a response from Milne Bay could be received.
Description
A Douglas C-47A went missing on a flight from Townsville-Garbutt Airfield, Australia to Gurney Airfield (No. 1 Strip, Fall River). Papua New Guinea. En route weather included periods of rainfall and an area with cumulonimbus peaks to 18-20,000 feet. The aircraft was last heard from by Horn Island Radio when the crew attempted to contact Milne Bay by radio. There was no reply from Milne Bay.
Primary Cause
Weather conditions ? particularly heavy rainfall and cumulonimbus peaks ? likely contributed to the aircraft?s loss of communication.Weather conditions ? particularly heavy rainfall and cumulonimbus peaks ? likely contributed to the aircraft?s loss of communication.Share on:
