On January 26, 1942, a Grumman G-21A Goose (registration PK-AFS) operated by KNILM - Koninklijke Nederlandse Indies Luchtvaart Maatschappij was involved in an aviation accident near Kupang, Indonesia in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was destroyed after being shot down by a Japanese fighter. 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.
A floatplane conducting an evacuation check over Kupang was intercepted and destroyed by a Japanese fighter, resulting in the loss of all personnel on board.
What happened
The aircraft departed Kupang-Penfui Airport with the objective of performing an aerial survey of the surrounding region. The mission involved monitoring the area to verify the evacuation status of civilians ahead of an anticipated Japanese invasion. During this operation, the floatplane was engaged by a hostile Japanese fighter. The engagement resulted in the aircraft crashing into an open field. All members of the crew were killed in the incident.
Findings
The official determination indicates that the accident occurred because the aircraft was shot down by a Japanese fighter.
Probable cause
The aircraft was destroyed after being shot down by a Japanese fighter.
What happened in the 26 Jan 1942 Grumman G-21A Goose accident near Kupang, Indonesia?
A floatplane conducting an evacuation check over Kupang was intercepted and destroyed by a Japanese fighter, resulting in the loss of all personnel on board.
Were there any fatalities in the 26 Jan 1942 Grumman G-21A Goose accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 26 Jan 1942 involved a Grumman G-21A Goose, registration PK-AFS, operated by KNILM - Koninklijke Nederlandse Indies Luchtvaart Maatschappij, at Kupang, Indonesia.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The aircraft was destroyed after being shot down by a Japanese fighter.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…