Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 11 February 1945
Aircraft Type: Douglas Dakota III (DC-3)
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: FD915
Location: near Budalin –
ÿ Myanmar
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Aircraft missing, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Aircraft (J/38111)Aircraft (J/38111)
Category: Accident
An RCAF aircraft, J/38111, failed to return after dropping supplies to the 20th Division in Burma. Locals reported a crash near the drop zone, and subsequent investigation revealed the remains were never recovered. The aircraft was involved in a single, unsuccessful drop.An RCAF aircraft, J/38111, failed to return after dropping supplies to the 20th Division in Burma. Locals reported a crash near the drop zone, and subsequent investigation revealed the remains were never recovered. The aircraft was involved in a single, unsuccessful drop.
Description
The aircraft took off at 07:30 to air drop supplies to the 20th Division, Budalin, Burma front and failed to return. A 1954 investigation reported locals stated the aircraft had crashed in the hill near the drop zone and the bodies were originally buried next to the crash site. Although same locals state the remains of the crew members were later recovered by a BGRU, no trace was ever found of them. Crew – all RCAF: Pilot: J/38111 F/O Thomas Gray Burton Co Pilot: J/42825 F/O William Andrew Eden Navigator: R/113322 WO1 Ralph Henry Holtan Wireless Op/Air Gunner: R/196391 F/Sgt Stanley Maxwell Duncan Wireless Op/Air Gunner: R/172684 WO2 Ward Douglas Coulson
Primary Cause
Aircraft failure during a drop operation.Aircraft failure during a drop operation.Share on:
