No fatalities

Aircraft Crash into Sea with No Casualties (NZ3521)

Savo Island, Solomon IslandsFlight

On July 12, 1945, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration NZ3521) operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF was involved in an aviation accident near Savo Island, Solomon Islands in flight. No fatalities were reported. 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 2026-08-25Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into the ocean approximately 400 yards from shore under unknown circumstances. The plane sank, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.

What happened

The incident involved an aircraft that impacted the water surface while operating near the coastline. According to available records, the crash site was located roughly 400 yards offshore from land. Following the impact with the sea, the airframe sank and was subsequently lost. Despite the total loss of the aircraft, there were no reported casualties among those on board or in the surrounding area.

Findings

The specific circumstances leading to the crash remain unknown based on the provided information. No contributing factors or definitive conclusions regarding the cause of the accident are documented in the source material.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Jul 1945 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Savo Island, Solomon Islands?

An aircraft crashed into the ocean approximately 400 yards from shore under unknown circumstances. The plane sank, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Jul 1945 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Jul 1945 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration NZ3521, operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF, at Savo Island, Solomon Islands.