1945 — June 16, USAAF C-47 flight to AUS crash on mt. ~Moikisung, Papua New Guinea– 12

Compiled 12-22-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–12  Aviation Safety Network. USAAF C-47 flight to AUS, crash on mt. near Moikisung, 6-16-45.

–12  fold3 by ancestry. “Jerome A Mykkeltvedt.”

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 96:

“Date:                          Saturday 16 June 1945

“Type:                         Douglas C-47A-DL (DC-3)

“Operator:                   United Sates Army Air Force – USAAF

“Registration:              43-30746

“MSN:                         13897

“First flight:                1943

….

“Total:                         Fatalities: 12 / Occupants: 12

….

“Location:                   near Maikisung [Moikisung?] (Papua New Guinea)

“Phase:                        En route (ENR)

“Nature:                      Military

“Departure airport:      ?

“Destination airport:   ?

“Narrative:

“The C-47A carrying 12 officers and men crashed in the New Guinea jungles 15 miles due west of Finschhafen near the native village of Maikisung. It is assumed that the plane, which had been on a routine flight from Palowan to Australia, was lost in weather and crashed into a mountain.”    

fold3 by ancestry. “Jerome A Mykkeltvedt.”:

“Jerome Augustus Mykkeltvedt…. enlisted in the Army Air Forces and served during World War II. He had the rank of Captain….

“Mykkeltvedt was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on June 16, 1945. The C-47A #43-36746 carrying 12 officers and men crashed in the New Guinea jungles 15 miles due west of Finschhafen near the native village of Maikisung. Pending official investigation, it is assumed that the plane, which had been on a routine flight from Palowan to Australia, was lost in weather and crashed into a mountain….

“Crew of C-47A #43-36746: 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group:

Radio Operator:          Corp. Harrris, Frank R.           TX

Navigator:                   2^nd Lt. Johnson, Roy R.          CO

Pilot:                            2^nd Lt. Lawson, Richard J.      CA

Radio Operator:          Corp. Leaman, Charles E. Jr.  RI

Co Pilot:                      Capt. Mykkeltvedt,                 MN

Engineer:                     T/Sgt. Shaul Donald A.          NE

Passengers on C-47A #43-36746:

            Maj. Adams, Lionel P.,                       NC – Groupa Adjutent

2^nd Lt. Cunningham, Thomas J.          ME – XIII Fighter Command

“Lt. Col. England, Shelby                   AR – 347^th Fighter Group operations Officer

Capt. Sabotka, Henry J.                      MA – Commander of the 100^th Bomb Squadron

Maj. Willis, Joseph C. Jr.                    TX – Commanding Office 339^th Fighter Squadron

Capt. Windes, Alvin C.                      MO – Beteran Fighter Pilot

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 96. USAAF C-47 flight to Australia, crash on mountain near Moikisung, Papua New Guinea, 6-16-1945. Accessed 12-22-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450616-4

fold3 by ancestry. “Jerome A Mykkeltvedt.” Bio and crew report by Russ Pickett. Accessed 12-22-2023 at: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/638314741/jerome-a-mykkeltvedt/stories