FlightFinder
Check my flight
9 fatalities

Fatal crash of military aircraft near Canton Island (43-30739)

Topham (Canton Island), KiribatiFlight

On December 17, 1943, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 43-30739) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Topham (Canton Island), Kiribati in flight. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crash was caused by the aircraft flying at an unsafe low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a tree that led to loss of control and impact with the terrain. 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

A military transport aircraft crashed into the ground near Canton Island after striking a tree during a low-altitude local flight, resulting in the deaths of all nine people on board.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a local test flight around Canton Island following maintenance work. During the maneuver, the aircraft flew along the shoreline at an altitude estimated to be approximately 30 feet above the terrain. At this low level, the right wing of the aircraft made contact with a tree, causing part of the wing structure to shear off.

Following the impact with the vegetation, the aircraft lost altitude and continued its trajectory for roughly 400 meters before impacting the ground. The airframe broke up upon collision and subsequently caught fire. All nine occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the accident.

Probable cause

The crash was caused by the aircraft flying at an unsafe low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a tree that led to loss of control and impact with the terrain.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Dec 1943 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Topham (Canton Island), Kiribati?

A military transport aircraft crashed into the ground near Canton Island after striking a tree during a low-altitude local flight, resulting in the deaths of all nine people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Dec 1943 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 9 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Dec 1943 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration 43-30739, operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947), at Topham (Canton Island), Kiribati.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crash was caused by the aircraft flying at an unsafe low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a tree that led to loss of control and impact with the terrain.

More accident analyses