Date & Time:
Nov 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
2407
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Exmouth - Exmouth
MSN:
223
YOM:
1941
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered a loss of oil pressure and a high oil temperature on the port engine. It was decided to return to Exmouth. A normal full stall landing was made, but near the end of the landing run, the plane hit large wave, causing it to bounce into the air and on the subsequent landing large quantities of water entered the plane through the bombing window position in the bow. The airplane sank in shallow water (5 metres) and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot was killed and eight other crew members were rescued.
Crew:
Lt Roy John Krough, pilot, †
Lt(jg) Charles O. Peters,
Lt(jg) Maurice K. Hill,
Ap1c David T. Harvey,
Amm1c Rudolph F. Wimmer,
Amm3c Tommy A. Maestas,
Acrm Lindsey B. Wells,
Rm2c Matthew A. Fay,
Aom1c Darrell D. Mitchel.
Crew:
Lt Roy John Krough, pilot, †
Lt(jg) Charles O. Peters,
Lt(jg) Maurice K. Hill,
Ap1c David T. Harvey,
Amm1c Rudolph F. Wimmer,
Amm3c Tommy A. Maestas,
Acrm Lindsey B. Wells,
Rm2c Matthew A. Fay,
Aom1c Darrell D. Mitchel.
Probable cause:
Loss of oil pressure and a high oil temperature on the port engine and subsequent collision with large wave upon landing off Exmouth.
