What happened
The aircraft, nicknamed 'The Flying Dutchman', departed Port Moresby for Pongani. It was operating under the command of the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron to deliver supplies and personnel from the 32nd Infantry Division and the 126th Infantry Regiment. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the plane encountered severe downdrafts. This weather phenomenon caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly, leading to a collision with Mt Obree in central Papua New Guinea.
There were 23 individuals aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident. Initially, 17 people survived the impact, but many suffered serious injuries and burns. Due to the remote location and lack of immediate medical assistance, several of these initial survivors died while waiting for rescue. Ultimately, only six individuals survived the incident.
The wreckage remained undiscovered until March 8, 1961, when it was located during an air search mission for a missing Piaggio aircraft. The plane carried the dual registration 41-18564 and VH-CCU. The crew consisted of a pilot, a co-pilot or officer, a flight engineer, and a radio operator. The passenger manifest included various enlisted personnel from the aforementioned infantry units.
Findings
The official investigation concluded that the accident was caused by the aircraft being caught in severe downdrafts, which led to the loss of control and subsequent crash into the mountain terrain.