Mission History
Lost during a patient transfer flight from Biak to Townsville. It crashed onto the Carstenz Ranges at 14,200' in Irian Jaya. On board the aircraft were 10 RAAF passengers and crew and 19 Army personnel. The sad legacy of this wreck were the twenty-nine passengers and crew, one that remains MIA to this day.

Wreckage
The wreck was discovered in December 1970 high in the mountains and broken in a ravine. The site was discovered north west of the Grasberg mine operated by PT Freeport.

Recovery &
From May 23 - June 6, 2005, a joint RAAF and Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) team traveled to the region last month as part of "Exercise Dakota Recovery". The mission, conducted in extreme climatic conditions, recovered all the remains as well as some personal effects of the passengers and crew. A memorial plaque was left at the site.

Memorial
A formal military funeral and burial of the remains was conducted Port Moresby Bomana War Cemetery on August 10, 2005.

References
Photo of the wreck appear in George Odgers' "Air Force - Australia" book. Thanks to Greg Williams and Daniel Leahy for additional information.

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Last Updated
July 24, 2010

C-47

Crash Photos
Operation Dakota

Memorial Service Story & Photos