Accident description
Last updated: 25 May 2013
Status:
Date:05 MAY 1945
Time:22:26
Type:Douglas C-54E-1-DO
Operator:United States Army Air Force - USAAF
Registration: 44-9043
C/n / msn: 27269
First flight: 1945
Crew:Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Passengers:Fatalities: 15 / Occupants: 15
Total:Fatalities: 21 / Occupants: 21
Airplane damage: Written off
Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:Manus Island (Papua New Guinea)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Military
Departure airport:?
Destination airport:?
Narrative:
The Skymaster departed Sorido Airstrip on Manus Island. After takeoff the pilot did not turn away to clear rising terrain. The aircraft flew into a bluff at an elevation of about 500 feet (150 m). It was deemed possible that the flaps were retracted too soon after takeoff.

Events:

Sources:
» Military aviation disasters : significant losses since 1908 / D. Gero, 1999
» USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present / Joe Baugher

Photos
No Photo Available

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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Douglas DC-4

  • 32nd loss
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 Papua New Guinea
  • worst accident (at the time)
  • 6th worst accident (currently)
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