9 June 1942 - Crash of a Kittyhawk at Brocks Creek, NT, 20 miles south of Adelaide River

CRASH OF A KITTYHAWK
AT BROCK'S CREEK, NT
20 MILES SOUTH OF ADELAIDE RIVER
ON 9 JUNE 1942

visits since 15 July 2000

On 9 June 1942, 2nd Lt. William H. Payne of the 7th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group was killed when his Kittyhawk #41-5557 crashed at Brocks Creek in the Northern Territory, 20 miles south of Adelaide River.

He was taking part in a high altitude flight to test some new oxygen equipment. It is presumed that the oxygen equipment failed and he blacked out. His Kittyhawk slammed into the ground and exploded on impact. Little was recognisable in the crater left by the impact. Payne's body was torn apart by the impact and explosion.

Payne had recently been hospitalised for yellow jaundice and had also suffered from the effects of high altitude.

Payne's remains were buried in the Adelaide River American cemetery.

What was left of his aircraft was later salvaged by the 43rd Materiel Squadron based at Adelaide River.

Can anyone help me with more information on this accident?

REFERENCE

"Protect & Avenge"
"The 49th Fighter Group in World War II"
By S.W. Ferguson & William K. Pascalis
A Schiffer Military History Book

"Darwin's Air War 1942 - 1945"
By Bob Alford

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

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