Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina in Lake Gutierrez: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CC-CCS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2043
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Tanker 34
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Engaged in a fire fighting mission, Tanker 34 was completing a scoop procedure in Lake Gutierrez when it struck an obstacle floating on water, maybe a tree trunk. The airplane came to rest and sak. A pilot was rescued while the second was killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina off Northport: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1985 at 1538 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2886D
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2104
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Tanker 49
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Aircraft flight hours:
4415
Circumstances:
Water bomber aircraft landed on lake with dump doors partially open during landing phase of water pickup run. Mechanically operated dump door locks were applied before dump doors were closed. Pilot controlled dump doors from pilots control wheel, copilot operated door locks by separate control independent of the dump doors. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
1. (c) checklist - not followed - pilot in command
2. (c) fatigue (chronic) - pilot in command
3. (f) in-flight planning/decision - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. (f) pressure - pilot in command
5. (f) psychological condition - pilot in command
6. (c) improper use of equipment/aircraft - pilot in command
7. (c) improper use of procedure - company/operator management
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Lewistown: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1985 at 0844 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N84857
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lewistown - Reno
MSN:
1522
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6838
Captain / Total hours on type:
19.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1481
Circumstances:
During taxi to takeoff the brakes failed. The pilot attempted to ground loop the aircraft. The aircraft rolled down a hill and collided with a gully. The pilot was fatally injured. During preflight the copilot inadvertently added hydraulic fluid in the alcohol tank. The hydraulic pump cavitated. The pilot failed to use the hydraulic emergency hand pump or the a.c. Electric pump.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: standing - pre-flight
Findings
1. (f) fluid, hydraulic - inadequate
2. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (f) acft/equip inadequate, visual restriction - copilot/second pilot
4. (f) hydraulic system, reservoir - low level
5. (c) aircraft service - improper - copilot/second pilot
6. (f) window, inspection/observation - blocked (partial)
7. (f) crew/group coordination - poor - pilot in command
8. (f) anti-ice/deice system, propeller - unmarked
9. (c) supervision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: taxi - to takeoff
Findings
10. Hydraulic system, pump - failure, total
11. Brakes (normal) - selected - pilot in command
12. (c) hydraulic system - pressure too low
13. (c) brakes (emergency) - not used - pilot in command
14. (c) safety system (other) - not engaged
15. (c) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: taxi - to takeoff
Findings
16. Ground loop/swerve - attempted - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: other
Findings
17. Terrain condition - ditch
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina off Port Isabel: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1984 at 0803 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N16KL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Harlingen - Harlingen
MSN:
2068
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
8695
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6457
Circumstances:
Aerial photos were being taken of the mishap aircraft. Mission called for a simulated water landing (actual water landing prohibited) by flying as close as possible to water. Copilot at controls descended aircraft to about 6 feet, then gradually reduced clearance to 6-12 inches above water, airspeed 105 mph. Copilot inadvertently allowed aircraft to touch water. On touchdown, aircraft decelerated violently and broke up, ejecting several of the occupants and coming to rest inverted. Examination of aerial photos shows aircraft hull at touchdown was slightly nose down vice normal landing attitude; water contact made at location of nose landing gear doors. Photos show outward rupturing of forward hull structure, nose gear doors missing. Hull at rear of step showed two parallel, 3-feet long by 2-in wide, fore-to-aft and outboard-to-inboard penetrations. Floor of shallow lagoon known to have scattered debris from petroleum explorations; however, no positive determination of aircraft contact with submerged object could be made. Seven occupants were killed while three others were injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - water, glassy
2. (c) clearance - misjudged - copilot/second pilot
3. (c) supervision - inadequate - pilot in command
4. (c) door, landing gear - overload
5. (c) door, landing gear - separation
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina off Sioux Lookout

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-GFFJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sioux Lookout - Sioux Lookout
MSN:
2067
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Tanker 9
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in the region of Sioux Lookout and was completing a scooping maneuver on Lake Jackson when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina off Alverca: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N101CS
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2141
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The seaplane christened 'La Calypso volante' was returning to Lisbon following a scientific mission. Off Alverca, the seaplane landed hard on the Tagus, causing the left wing to separate and the left engine to struck the cockpit. The pilot Philippe Cousteau, son of the French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, was killed. Seven other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed that the speed upon landing was slightly too high.

Crash of a Consolidated CA-10A Catalina off Santo Antônio do Içá: 12 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
6550
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
1681
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while trying to land off Santo Antônio do Içá, Amazonas. All 12 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina in Harlingen: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1975 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N15KL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Harlingen - Harlingen
MSN:
2070
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Circumstances:
Following several technical modifications, among them the replacement of the right engine carburetor, the crew was in charge to conduct a post maintenance test flight. After takeoff, the right engine failed. The right propeller was not feathered and the aircraft stalled and crashed. Three crew members were killed while two others were injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine after takeoff for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Propeller unfeathered, gear down.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Wikieup: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1975 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5588W
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Las Vegas - El Paso
MSN:
920
YOM:
1941
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Las Vegas to El Paso, while in cruising altitude, both engines lost power. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames near Wikieup and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Collision with dirt bank,
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Rough terrain,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- The pilot declared that both engines lost power,
- Attempted a landing beside a highway in desert,
- No records for other crew personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Villavicencio: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1973 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-1020
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1750
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While approaching Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport following a test flight, the crew encountered engine problems and attempted an emergency landing when the seaplane crashed few km from the airport. A crew member was killed while two others were injured.