File:Crash of RNZAF Ventura 4550, Funafuti, 4 December 1944 (38266132102).jpg

On 4 December 1944, the RNZAF Ventura 4550 crashed while attempting to land at Funafuti Airfield, Tuvalu (formerly known as the Ellice Islands). All five of the crew were killed.

The Ventura 4550 and its crew had been out on patrol and had returned to the airfield with its depth charges still on board. As the plane came in to land, it was noticed by ground crew to be coming in too fast. The plane hit the runway, bounced, and then bounced a second time and swerved dangerously towards the 70-foot tall palm trees to the left of the runway. Hoping to climb over the trees, the pilot gunned the engines. But it was too late – the plane smashed into the trees at around 35 feet, tore apart, and flipped upside down in a fireball of flame.

A US Navy radioman on the ground, Thorsten Lundquist, was in the nearby mess hall when he heard the roar of the engines and the plane striking the trees. Rushing to the scene, he attempted to open what doors were not already engulfed in flames, but they were jammed. Hearing screams, he worked frantically to find an entry, crawling on his stomach to get underneath the upside down fuselage. But the flames were too strong. Running for cover, Lundquist was knocked over as the depth charges exploded, totally destroying what remained of the wreckage.

The official inquiry, which included this photograph of the burning crash site as evidence, concluded that the inexperience of the pilot, combined with a 7 knot crosswind, was the cause. Although the pilot had clocked up sufficient flight hours, it was his first ever attempt at landing at Funafuti and had failed to properly brake his glide on the final part of the approach.

Two more photographs can be found here: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/38297874361">www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/38297874361</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/38297874161">www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/38297874161</a>

The names of the five-man crew were:

Flight Sergeant W.W. Young Pilot Officer J.D. Dungey Flight Sergeant R.F. McAuliffe Sergeant N.J. Heal Sergeant L.J. Bowick

Archives Reference: AIR1 Box 619/ 25/2/1939 <a href="https://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=21076151" rel="nofollow">archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=21076151</a>

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