Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 4 February 1942
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-53-DO (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 41-20051
Location: Bathurst Island, NT –
ÿ Australia
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Aircraft wing tip and aileronsAircraft wing tip and ailerons
Category: Accident
A C-53 transport plane returning from Java, Indonesia, encountered a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero on the ground in Bathurst Island, Australia. The plane suffered damage including a damaged wing tip and ailerons, leading to an emergency landing and subsequent destruction by the Zero. The wreckage was then pushed off a cliff onto the Apsley Strait.A C-53 transport plane returning from Java, Indonesia, encountered a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero on the ground in Bathurst Island, Australia. The plane suffered damage including a damaged wing tip and ailerons, leading to an emergency landing and subsequent destruction by the Zero. The wreckage was then pushed off a cliff onto the Apsley Strait.
Description
The C-53 transport plane of the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron was returning from Java, Indonesia and found that Darwin, Australia was closed in. It turned back to Bathurst Island, 60 miles north of Darwin, where it landed on an emergency airfield for light aircraft. While landing in a crosswind, the plane damaged its left wing tip and aileron, and before repairs could be carried out, a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero destroyed the aircraft on the ground on 19 February 1942. It was then stripped and the remains were pushed off a cliff onto the shore of Apsley Strait.
Primary Cause
Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero attack.Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero attack.Share on:
