Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accident at Indonesia, Indonesia, 8 Jul 1944 (41-2464)
On July 8, 1944, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (registration 41-2464) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Indonesia, Indonesia in flight. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the dissapearance was unknown, but was reported that it might be lost due to "possible enemy antiaircraft fire or navigational circumstance". This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The cause of the dissapearance was unknown, but was reported that it might be lost due to "possible enemy antiaircraft fire or navigational circumstance".
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The aircraft christened 'Queenie' left Lae-Nadzab Airport at 0641LT bound for Mokmer Aerodrome (Biak Island) with a en route stop at Tadji Airfield. The aircraft failed to arrive and no trace of it nor the 19 occupants was ever found. Crew: Lt Col Walter P. Piehl, pilot, Maj Alan C. Attebery, copilot, S/Sgt Cortez A. Beal, flight engineer, S/Sgt Henry Y. Willis, radio operator, T/Sgt Edgar W. Elseman, crew chief. Passengers: Major Robert H. Barnes, Major Victor De F. Henriques, Captain Russell G. Helmer, Captain Fred J. Lewis, Captain Paul V. McKnight, Captain Wendell Root, 1st Lt Winton D. Witmer, 2nd Lt John C. Campbell, 2nd Lt. Roland J. Hickey, WO Dawson L. Hutchison, S/Sgt August J. Bachor, Sgt William R. Ray, Cpl Noel L. Lowe, PFC Clyde H. Hopkins Jr. Source: http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-2464.html
Probable cause (official findings): The cause of the dissapearance was unknown, but was reported that it might be lost due to "possible enemy antiaircraft fire or navigational circumstance".