What happened
During operations in the region, a floatplane came under attack from enemy forces. The aircraft was engaged by a Japanese fighter, which successfully targeted and destroyed the civilian or military transport craft. Following the impact of the weapons fire, the plane lost control and crashed in the vicinity of Ambon. Due to the circumstances of the crash and the historical context of the conflict, there are no confirmed records regarding the survival status of those on board. The fate of the crew members remains officially unknown.
Findings
Official investigations into the incident concluded that the primary cause of the accident was hostile action. The aircraft was not lost due to mechanical failure or pilot error but was specifically targeted and destroyed by an opposing military asset. The engagement by the Japanese fighter is cited as the direct and sole contributing factor leading to the loss of the airframe.