No fatalities

Cargo aircraft shot down over Borneo during WWII (PK-AFW)

Samarinda, IndonesiaFlight

On January 24, 1942, a Douglas DC-3 (registration PK-AFW) operated by KNILM - Koninklijke Nederlandse Indies Luchtvaart Maatschappij was involved in an aviation accident near Samarinda, Indonesia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by the aircraft being shot down by a Japanese fighter during combat operations. 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 2026-08-26Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo plane was attacked by a Japanese fighter while flying over Borneo. The crew managed an emergency landing in a pasture, resulting in significant damage but no fatalities.

What happened

During a scheduled cargo flight, the aircraft came under fire from a Japanese fighter while operating over the region of Borneo. In response to the attack, the flight crew executed a rapid descent to reduce their altitude. They subsequently attempted an emergency landing in a nearby pasture to mitigate further damage and ensure the safety of those on board.

The impact of the hostile engagement and the forced landing resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair. Despite the severity of the incident, all three members of the crew were successfully rescued from the wreckage.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the aircraft being shot down by a Japanese fighter during combat operations.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 24 Jan 1942 Douglas DC-3 accident near Samarinda, Indonesia?

A cargo plane was attacked by a Japanese fighter while flying over Borneo. The crew managed an emergency landing in a pasture, resulting in significant damage but no fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 24 Jan 1942 Douglas DC-3 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 24 Jan 1942 involved a Douglas DC-3, registration PK-AFW, operated by KNILM - Koninklijke Nederlandse Indies Luchtvaart Maatschappij, at Samarinda, Indonesia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the aircraft being shot down by a Japanese fighter during combat operations.