Date & Time:
Jan 13, 1943 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
04431
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
433
YOM:
1941
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
17
Crew fatalities:
0
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising along the west coast of Australia, the left engine caught fire. The pilot made an emergency landing in open sea in the region of Lancelin, some 100 km north of Perth. All occupants evacuated safely and were rescued. The airplane drifted to the beach and was severely damaged by coral heads and rough seas. It was damaged beyond repair and not recovered.
Crew:
Lt Charles R. Dillon, pilot,
Lt Col Young,
Lt Col Walker,
Cdr John P. Dix,
Lt(jg) Oscar W. Berssenbrugge,
Lt(jg) Raymond L. Ettinger,
Cpt Myron W. Anderson,
Amm1c William J. Brown,
Amm3c William J. Pope,
Acrm Floyd A. Simon,
Rm2c Lawrence C. Katz,
Cpt Joseph J. Ruzak
Amm1c Jesse R. Barnes,
Amm3c Howard S. Depee,
Rm1c Robert H. Faul,
Rm2c Howard R. Commons,
Aom1c Darrel D. Mitchell.
Crew:
Lt Charles R. Dillon, pilot,
Lt Col Young,
Lt Col Walker,
Cdr John P. Dix,
Lt(jg) Oscar W. Berssenbrugge,
Lt(jg) Raymond L. Ettinger,
Cpt Myron W. Anderson,
Amm1c William J. Brown,
Amm3c William J. Pope,
Acrm Floyd A. Simon,
Rm2c Lawrence C. Katz,
Cpt Joseph J. Ruzak
Amm1c Jesse R. Barnes,
Amm3c Howard S. Depee,
Rm1c Robert H. Faul,
Rm2c Howard R. Commons,
Aom1c Darrel D. Mitchell.
Probable cause:
Fire in the accessory section of the port engine probably due to an electrical short circuit.
