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Consolidated B-24 Liberator accident at Negifi, Papua New Guinea, 30 Apr 1943 (42-40352)

Negifi, Papua New GuineaFlight

On April 30, 1943, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator (registration 42-40352) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Negifi, Papua New Guinea in flight. 12 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It is believed that the airplane impacted the ground in a near perpendicular attitude. Prior to the crash, the tail section broke off and landed roughly a mile away from the main wreckage. Crew:. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

It is believed that the airplane impacted the ground in a near perpendicular attitude. Prior to the crash, the tail section broke off and landed roughly a mile away from the main wreckage. Crew:

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The airplane departed Port Moresby-5 Mile Drome (Wards) at 0800LT on a reconnaissance and bombing mission over New Guinea. It went out of control and crashed in hilly terrain near Negifi. The airplane was totally destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed. Crew: 1st Lt Jindrich L. Chovanec, pilot, 2nd Lt Henry C. Hansen, copilot, 2nd Lt Eugene B. Brown Jr., navigator, 2nd Lt Edwin B. Smith, bombardier, T/Sgt Clarence W. Boyer, T/Sgt William C. Lowther, S/Sgt Robert P. Nix, S/Sgt Ernest E. Hansen, S/Sgt Robert A. Ratliff, Cpl Chester O. Coggin, S/Sgt Henry C. Simons, air gunner. Passenger: F/Lt Leigh Grant Vial.

Probable cause (official findings): It is believed that the airplane impacted the ground in a near perpendicular attitude. Prior to the crash, the tail section broke off and landed roughly a mile away from the main wreckage. Crew:

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