Date & Time:
Dec 27, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
04402
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Patterson Field - Patterson Field
MSN:
408
YOM:
1941
Country:
Iceland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
9
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The seaplane was engaged in an anti-submarine sweep operation and was supposed to assist a convoy of vessels en route to England. About 15 minutes into the flight, the crew encountered a heavy snow storm when the airplane crashed in a snow covered field located near Patterson Field, bursting into flames. The airplane was totally destroyed and all nine crew members were killed.
Crew (VP-84):
Lt Harvey H. Luce, pilot,
Lt(jg) Donald A. Helms, copilot,
Ap1c Wilfred A. Burri, copilot,
Ens Glenn S. Nelson, navigator,
Amm1c Willard P. Kantz,
Rm1c Chester A. Eichelberger,
Amm3c James L. Bryan,
Rm3c Brack W. Goode,
Amm3c William G. Hammond.
Crew (VP-84):
Lt Harvey H. Luce, pilot,
Lt(jg) Donald A. Helms, copilot,
Ap1c Wilfred A. Burri, copilot,
Ens Glenn S. Nelson, navigator,
Amm1c Willard P. Kantz,
Rm1c Chester A. Eichelberger,
Amm3c James L. Bryan,
Rm3c Brack W. Goode,
Amm3c William G. Hammond.
Probable cause:
Evidence indicates that the pilot encountered violent turbulence and trying to clear of the storm on instruments, lost altitude until he crashed. Upon being asked before takeoff what he intended to do about the snow squall which was plainly visible from the airdrome in the direction of his flight, Lt. Luce replied 'I will fly through it'.
