Zone
Hawaii

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kaneohe NAS: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59204
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe - Kaneohe
MSN:
59204
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training sortie from NAS Kaneohe. Enroute, a fire broke out on the right wing, between the right engine and the wing root. The pilot lost control of the seaplane that crashed into the sea few miles offshore. Rescue teams were on site a day later and were able to evacuate three wounded crew while nine others were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off North Island NAS: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59082
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
North Island - Kaneohe
MSN:
59082
Location:
North Island-Halsey Field NAS (San Diego)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from North Island-Halsey Field NAS, while in initial climb, the crew retracted the flaps when the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Bay of San Diego. All eight crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kahuku: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59077
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe - Kaneohe
MSN:
59077
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While cruising off Oahu Island, the crew encountered an engine failure and lost control of the seaplane that crashed into the sea some 13 miles off Kahuku. All 11 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Kaneohe NAS: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
48268
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe Bay - Kaneohe Bay
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off the Kaneohe NAS, Hawaii, killing all 10 crew members.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kaneohe NAS: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59015
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe - Kaneohe
MSN:
59015
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While on a training flight, the seaplane went out of control and crashed two miles off Kanehoe NAS, killing all eight crew members.
Probable cause:
It appears the lost of control was caused by an engine failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kaneohe NAS: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59017
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
59017
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While attempting to land at Kaneohe NAS, the seaplane hit the water surface, bounced, nosed down and sunk. Six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina into the Pacific Ocean: 9 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
34035
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
North Island - Kaneohe
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Disappeared en route from North Island-Halsey Field NAS (San Diego) to Kaneohe Bay NAS, Hawaii. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Makapuu Point: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
04445
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe Bay – Alameda
Location:
Makapu'u Point (Oahu)
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Few minutes after its departure from Kaneohe Bay NAS, the seaplane crashed into the sea off Makapuu Point, Oahu. Seven crew members were injured while the captain was killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina into the Pacific Ocean: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
08135
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In stormy weather, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. No trace was found.
Crew:
Lt Orrin J. McCausland, pilot,
Lt Warren K. Mesick,
Cpt James M. Kelly,
Am1 Leonard H. Davidson,
Am2 Edward R. Messenger,
Arm Arthur Dooke,
Arm Melvin F. Jurick.
Source: http://www.vpnavy.com/vp54_mishap.html
Probable cause:
The cause of the disappearance of this plane is undetermined, but there are several possibilities indicated. Structural failure as the result of high winds and strong vertical currents encountered in the storm may have cause the plane to crash into the water. The plane may have exploded mid-air due to accidental ignition of high octane gasoline vapor present in the plane as a result of transfer of fuel from hull tanks to wing tanks. These vapors may have ignited by static spark, an accidental spark from other sources or lightning. Crew members of one of the other planes saw a large red flash in the clouds which appeared to localized to be lightning.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Makapu'u: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
2487
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kaneohe Bay - Kaneohe Bay
MSN:
390
YOM:
1941
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
At the end of the day, the crew was returning to Kanehoe Bay NAS following a 12,3 hours maritime patrol mission off Hawaii. On approach, the visibility was low due to the night and poor weather conditions. As the captain thought by mistake he was approaching the Barber's Point Light where he was approaching the Makapu'u light located southernmost, he started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to hit the slope of a hill located near Makapu'u. All nine crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Error on part of the crew who mistook two different lights while approaching the Kaneohe Bay NAS. This misinterpretation engaged the aircraft in a premature descent and thus in an insufficient altitude. The lack of visibility caused by night and poor weather conditions, as well as a certain fatigue of the crew (duty above 12 hours) should be considered as a contributory factor.
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