Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 18 May 1944
Aircraft Type: Douglas R4D-5 (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Navy
Registration Number: 39073
Location: between Torokina and Guadalcanal –
ÿ Pacific Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Aircraft missing, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 23
Component Affected: Douglas R4D-5 Navy transport planeDouglas R4D-5 Navy transport plane
Category: Accident
A Douglas R4D-5 Navy transport plane disappeared en route between Cape Torokina Airfield and Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands during inclement weather. The aircraft departed at 10:08 with a payload of 23 persons and 1,300 pounds of mail.A Douglas R4D-5 Navy transport plane disappeared en route between Cape Torokina Airfield and Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands during inclement weather. The aircraft departed at 10:08 with a payload of 23 persons and 1,300 pounds of mail.
Description
A Douglas R4D-5 Navy transport plane went missing en route between Cape Torokina Airfield, PNG and Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. The airplane took off at 10:08 with 23 persons plus 1,300 pounds of mail aboard. The last radio contact with the aircraft was at the time of takeoff. Weather was poor with moderate rain showers reducing visibility from six miles to one mile.
Source of Information
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp, http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/r4d/39073.htmlhttp://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp, http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/r4d/39073.htmlPrimary Cause
Poor weather conditions, specifically moderate rain showers reducing visibility to six miles, significantly impacted flight operations.Poor weather conditions, specifically moderate rain showers reducing visibility to six miles, significantly impacted flight operations.Share on:
