MISHAPs: 07 DEC 43 A/C: PB2Y-5 Location: WEST OF COPEA ISL Strike: Yes BUNO: O8372 Cause: Landing accident:12-47S 168-55E. Crew:Pilot: Lt(jg). Norman Clark A-V(N) USNR/Killed, Ens. James D. Whaloy A-V(N) USNR/Killed, Rm2c. Robert Clifford Hakenson USNR/Killed, Rm2c. David Jonathan Mueller USNR/Killed, Amm2c. David Wilson Love USNR/Killed, Aom2c. Ralph Joseph LeBeau USNR/Killed, Amm1c. William Morle Watkins USN/Killed, Amm2c. Pasqual Palermo USN/Killed, Ens. Vance F. Halderman A-V(N) USNR/Seriously inj, Amm1c. Winfield W. Wehrians,Jr. USN/Seriously inj, and Amm2c. Horbert M. Ownes,Jr. USN/Seriously inj. From Administrative Report: Airplane was in left turn close to the water before the crash and that the airplane being downwind of the Island may have entered some violent vertical components than in moderately rough air usually experienced through out the patrol. The possible dragging a wing tip float in the water or being caught momentarily in a swell may have caused immediate loss of control of the airplane if control had not already been lost. It is doubted that the right skid and leveling of the wings, no matter how quickley applied, would have permitted sufficient recovery of control to prevent the wing tip from again striking the water. The loss of airspeed in this condition precludes a pull-up attempt and it is believed that a second such condition would cart wheel the airplane about the vertical axis. It is probable that breakup of the airplane was caused by such violent uncontrolled maneuver. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [Updated 20FEB2002 | 16MAR98]

MISHAPs: 20 DEC 43 A/C: PBY-5 Location: South Pacific Strike: Yes BUNO: 0841 CAUSE: Struck coral head while taxiing. In effort of pilot to beach the plane he ran hard onto additional heads causing damage to bottom. Plane Broken keel and bottom damaged to hull-believed not salvageable. Will try and beach hull for small structural parts. No injury to personnel. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [03AUG2001]

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MISHAPs: 05 JAN 44 A/C: PBY-5 Location: Treasury Island, South Pac Strike: Yes BUNO: 08377 CAUSE: From Adm Report: Take-off was into the wing and slightly cross swell. Power was applied by Lt(jg).Courter (2700rpm, 48" manifold pressure) the plane plunged into a swell ahead and the bow and cockpit momentarily submerged. Then the plane emerged and smashed into a second swell, which caused the bow of the plane to rear high into the air, after which it crashed down against the third swell, from which, this time, the ship bounced completely out of the water and generated an indicated air speed of 45 knots. Plane did not however, have sufficient speed to remain airborne and feel back into the water, striking a mounting swell on the starboard side of the hull which deflected the PBY, again out of the water, and into a terrific skid, nose yawing to port. Both pilot's immediately and simultaneously applied starboard rudder, attempt to recover was not successful however, and the plane lost speed and settled into the water still skidding with the starboard wing tip higher than the port wing tip, causing the port wing tip and float to shear off. The plane was completely out of control, lurched on, rotating about the longitudinal axis on a starboard direction, and buried the starboard wing tip and float shearing them off also. Plane :"Sank" Crew OK. Pilot. Lt(jg). K. L. Marlin and Lt(jg). R. G. Courter. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [03AUG2001]

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MISHAPs: 14 JAN 44 A/C: PBY-5 Location: Bougainville BUNO: 08463 CAUSE: Crashed on Dumbo Mission - No injuries. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [04AUG2001]

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MISHAPs: 16 JUN 44 A/C: PBY-5 Location: Unknown BUNO: 08406 CAUSE: Force landed at sea due to broken fuel line;150mi from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [11AUG2001]

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