Date & Time:
Feb 17, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6482
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Norfolk - Norfolk
MSN:
6482
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
7
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The seaplane was engaged in a crew familiarization exercise out of Norfolk-Chambers Field NAS. As takeoff run began, a slight porpoising developed, but was corrected. Before flying speed could be gained, the aircraft bounced into the air about 25 feet and then settled back on the water. It bounced a second time to a height of about 100 feet and then crashed into the water from a steep dive. Seven crew members were killed and five others were injured.
Crew (VP-209):
Lt(jg) J. L. Williams, pilot,
Ems G. H. Vinderwood, pilot,
Ens James E. Van Lear, †
Ens Edward R. Folsom, †
Amm1 Henry A. Coussens,
Amm2 H. R. Best, flight engineer,
Acrm Francis X. Wentworth, radio operator, †
Aom3 Joseph H. Clark, †
Arm3 John C. Kostyal, †
Qm3 Kenneth R. Smart, †
Amm1 John B. Lynch, †
Amm1 Rudolph C. Weppler.
Crew (VP-209):
Lt(jg) J. L. Williams, pilot,
Ems G. H. Vinderwood, pilot,
Ens James E. Van Lear, †
Ens Edward R. Folsom, †
Amm1 Henry A. Coussens,
Amm2 H. R. Best, flight engineer,
Acrm Francis X. Wentworth, radio operator, †
Aom3 Joseph H. Clark, †
Arm3 John C. Kostyal, †
Qm3 Kenneth R. Smart, †
Amm1 John B. Lynch, †
Amm1 Rudolph C. Weppler.
Probable cause:
The crash was apparently due entirely to pilot error and may be attributed to a combination of any or all of the following factors:
- Failure to accurately check personnel aboard;
- Failure to know exact distribution of material, and personnel;
- Failure to stop take-off when porpoising first developed;
- Failure to get nose down to normal take-off attitude after porpoising stopped, before increasing power;
- Failure to understand characteristics of PBM as compared to PBY seaplanes. Therefore failure to cut engines during 1st bounce.
Pilot was at fault for not requiring all personnel in the plane to wear life jackets. ComFltAirWing FIVE declares that the squadron commander shares this responsibility since it appears that he did not insure that equipment was worn habitually by plane crews as described.
- Failure to accurately check personnel aboard;
- Failure to know exact distribution of material, and personnel;
- Failure to stop take-off when porpoising first developed;
- Failure to get nose down to normal take-off attitude after porpoising stopped, before increasing power;
- Failure to understand characteristics of PBM as compared to PBY seaplanes. Therefore failure to cut engines during 1st bounce.
Pilot was at fault for not requiring all personnel in the plane to wear life jackets. ComFltAirWing FIVE declares that the squadron commander shares this responsibility since it appears that he did not insure that equipment was worn habitually by plane crews as described.
