Martin M.130 | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On final approach to Port of Spain, the seaplane hit the water surface some 1,5 mile short of the touchdown zone, overturned and sank. 23 occupants were killed while seven others were injured.

Probable cause:

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was:
- First Officer Cramer’s failure to realize his proximity to the water and to correct his attitude for a normal landing and,
- the lack of adequate supervision by the Captain during the landing, resulting in the inadvertent flight into the water in excess of normal landing speed and in a nose-down attitude.

Final Report:

Crash of a Martin M.130 China Clipper near Ukiah: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1943 at 0725 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin M.130

Operator:

Registration:

NC14715

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Honolulu – San Francisco

MSN:

557

YOM:

1935

Flight number:

V1104

Location:

Ukiah

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4941

Copilot / Total flying hours:

694

Aircraft flight hours:

14628

Circumstances:

At the end of the night, while overflying the Pacific ocean off the Californian coast, the radio navigator contacted San Francisco ATC to inform about an estimated time of arrival at 0710LT, nearly three hours ahead the schedule. While approaching San Francisco from the north, by night and in poor weather conditions, at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the seaplane christened 'Philippine Clipper' hit the slope of a mountain located 7 miles southwest of Ukiah. Extensive emergency resources were dispatched to the scene where no survivors were found among the 19 occupants.
Crew:
Robert M. Elzcy, pilot,
G. F. Acbel, pilot,
Orven K. Judd, copilot,
L. A. Mackota, flight engineer,
J. J. Egan, flight engineer,
John Maynard, navigator,
C. P. Thompson, radio operator,
G. W. Angus, radio operator,
John Hill, steward.

Probable cause:

Failure of the captain to determine his position accurately before descending to a dangerously low altitude under extremely poor weather conditions during the hours of darkness.

Final Report:

Crash of a Martin M.130 China Clipper into the Pacific Ocean: 15 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1938 at 0411 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin M.130

Operator:

Registration:

NC14714

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

San Francisco – Honolulu – Agana – Manila

MSN:

556

YOM:

1934

Flight number:

PA229

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1900

Copilot / Total flying hours:

1650

Aircraft flight hours:

4757

Circumstances:

The float plane was on a transpacific flight from San Francisco to Manila with two intermediate stops in Honolulu and Guam Island. En route, the aircraft named 'Hawaiian Clipper' crashed in unknown circumstances into the ocean. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few weeks as no trace of the aircraft nor the 15 occupants was found.
Crew:
Leo Terletsky, pilot,
Mark A. Walker, copilot,
George M. Davis, Second Officer,
Jose M. Sauceda, Third Officer,
John W. Jewett, Fourth Officer,
William McGarty, Radio,
Howard L. Cox, Engineer,
T. B. Tatum, Assistant Engineer,
Ivan Parker, Steward.
Passengers:
Earl B. McKinley,
Fred C. Meier,
Edward E. Wyman,
Kenneth A. Kennedy,
Howard C. French,
Choy Wah Sun.

Probable cause:

In conclusion, it appears that the only definite facts established up to the present time, are that between 0411 and 0412 G.C.T on July 29, was a failure of communication between the ground and the Clippers. Communication was not thereafter reestablished, and that no trace of the aircraft has since been discovered. A number of theories have been advanced about the possible basic cause of or reason for the disappearance of the Clipper. The Board has considered each of them. Some have not been disproved and some have been contradicted by the facts. However, the Investigating fecls that this report cannot properly include a discussion of conjection unsupported by developed facts. The Board, therefore, respectfully submit this report with the thought that additional evidence may yet be discovered and the investigation completed at that time.

Final Report: