Lockheed 14 Super Electra accident at Pine Creek, Australia, 21 Apr 1942 (VH-ADY)
On April 21, 1942, a Lockheed 14 Super Electra (registration VH-ADY) operated by Guinea Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Pine Creek, Australia in flight. 12 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew lost his orientation due to the failure of both radio compass while flying at night and in poor weather conditions (rain falls). This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew lost his orientation due to the failure of both radio compass while flying at night and in poor weather conditions (rain falls). Due to low visibility, the crew was unable to establish his real position and to locate the Darwin's Airfield.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
On the last leg to Darwin, the crew lost his orientation while cruising in rain falls and night. Due to poor visibility, the crew was unable to locate the airport of Darwin and continued over the sea. Few minutes later, pilots realized they were flying over the sea and returned to the continent but could not see the city of Darwin nor its airport. The crew informed ATC he was low of fuel and wanted to land shortly when the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located near Annaburroo Station, in the region of Pine Creek. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the occupants was found. The burnt wreckage and all 12 dead bodies were found on June 30, 1942, in an isolated area. The occupants were two pilots and 10 US soldiers. The aircraft was built in May 1939 and delivered to Guinea Airways on June 9, 1940. Crew: F/Lt Duncan Gordon Cameron, pilot, F/O William Thomas Gray, pilot. Passengers: Pvt William V. Bedford, Cpl Anthony A. Gattamelata, Pvt Robert W. George, Pvt Nick Hinich, Cpl Ray E. Love, Pvt John J. Faris, Pvt Walter M. Feret, Pvt Richard D. Schmidt, Pvt Burford H. Willard, Pvt Wyatt H. Wyley.
Probable cause (official findings): Controlled flight into terrain after the crew lost his orientation due to the failure of both radio compass while flying at night and in poor weather conditions (rain falls). Due to low visibility, the crew was unable to establish his real position and to locate the Darwin's Airfield.