Date & Time:
Mar 30, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
08251
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1145
YOM:
1941
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
8
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The seaplane was overflying the Albemarle Sound at night when the pilot attempted to land near the Wade Point Lighthouse. Doing so, the seaplane hit the water surface, water-looped and sank. All eight crew members were killed.
Crew (VP-63):
Lt Frederick A. Brown, pilot,
Ens Robert D. Warren,
Ap1c Lewis W. Gretton,
Amm1c Guy N. Newton,
Amm2c LaVerne D. Bentley,
Rm2c Maurice B. Turover,
Rm3c Walter K. Abranz,
Sea2c Eugene F. Harbour.
Crew (VP-63):
Lt Frederick A. Brown, pilot,
Ens Robert D. Warren,
Ap1c Lewis W. Gretton,
Amm1c Guy N. Newton,
Amm2c LaVerne D. Bentley,
Rm2c Maurice B. Turover,
Rm3c Walter K. Abranz,
Sea2c Eugene F. Harbour.
Probable cause:
It was determined from eye witness's account that this accident resulted from faulty judgment on the part of the pilot while making a low altitude run on Wade Point Lighthouse at night to test searchlight mounted in the bow of the plane. The accident occurred because the pilot failed to observe his radio altimeter and attempted to make a turn while at a dangerously low altitude, catching one wing tip and water looped at high speed. Board believes that material failure did not affect this accident in any way and that the accident resulted directly from pilot errors as follows:
- Failing to observe the altimeter at low altitude under instrument conditions,
- Attempting to make a turn at a dangerous low altitude.
In addition to the opinion of the board, it is believed that the pilot attempted to fly contact using the light and became confused due to the high diffusion of light at or just beneath the surface of the water.
- Failing to observe the altimeter at low altitude under instrument conditions,
- Attempting to make a turn at a dangerous low altitude.
In addition to the opinion of the board, it is believed that the pilot attempted to fly contact using the light and became confused due to the high diffusion of light at or just beneath the surface of the water.
