Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Johnston Atoll: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1943 at 2027 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
2354
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Johnston Atoll - Johnston Atoll
MSN:
140
YOM:
1941
Location:
Johnston Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The seaplane departed Johnston Atoll on a SAR operation in the Pacific Ocean, of a crashed Army B-24 enroute from Oahu to Johnston Atoll. In the evening, while approaching the base at an altitude of about 1,000 feet, the airplane nosed over and plunged into the sea some 1,650 metres offshore, bursting into flames. All 10 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt(jg) Robert Thomas O'Donnell, pilot,
Ens Harold James Klopp,
Ens Daniel Leo O'Sullivan Jr.,
Amm2c Ernest Alameda Isaia,
Amm2c Eugene Degs French,
Amm3c George Elvidge,
Rm2c Harold Ernest Ostergard,
Rm3c Douglas Levi Thomas,
Aom3c Jack Hailey Ross,
Lt J. S. Lockey.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. Nevertheless, the following possibilities were mentioned:
- The pilot did not get corrected altitude settings before attempting his landing and flew into the water without realizing he was so near the surface. (another pilot stated that his altimeter read 200-ft plus when he landed just an hour or so before crash).
- A collision with large birds which are numerous in the area and are known to fly at night.
- Engine failure.
- Fire in air just prior to crash.
The Pilot was considered competent without restrictions for any assignment in the PBY-5 type aircraft.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Midway Island

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1391
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Midway - Midway
MSN:
1391
YOM:
1940
Location:
Midway Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the Battle of Midway. While returning to Midway Airport, the pilot was forced to complete the landing with the gear partially retracted. The aircraft skidded for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All eight occupants escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair. More than 500 holes were recorded.
Probable cause:
Gear partially retracted on landing due to enemy action.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Johnston Atoll

Date & Time: May 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
2453
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
289
YOM:
1941
Location:
Johnston Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Lt Ricketts was handling all controls. He made a normal power landing and immediately applied throttle for takeoff. At a speed of about 50 knots, the plane swerved to the left and then continued into a violent water loop in this direction. The hull of the plane was broken open and partially severed at the navigator's compartment. The plane sank immediately, but personnel were able to escape, injured.
Crew:
Lt Max V. Ricketts, pilot,
William B. Krause,
D. L. Heffelfiner,
D. A. Robertson,
J. L. Pittman,
K. H. Johnson,
Sgt D. T. Rowe,
Cpl J. F. Rooney.
Source: http://www.vpnavy.com/vp11_mishap.html

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Palmyra Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1490
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1490
YOM:
1940
Location:
Palmyra Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Hawaii to Australia. En route, the aircraft entered adverse weather conditions with turbulence. The aircraft went out off control and crashed into the sea off Palmyra Island, killing all seven crew members.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in stormy weather.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Palmyra Island: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1469
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1469
YOM:
1940
Location:
Palmyra Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Hawaii to Australia. En route, while flying in stormy weather, the control was lost and the aircraft crashed into the sea off Palmyra Island. Four crew members were killed while two others were rescued.

Crash of a Kawanishi H8K off Midway Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Kawanishi H8K
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Midway Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The floatplane was shot down by a USMC Buffalo and crashed into the sea off Midway Island. The entire crew was killed. The exact number of crew number remains unknown.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a US fighter.

Crash of a Martin PM-1 off Midway Island: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Martin PM-1
Operator:
Registration:
0667
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Midway Island
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The float plane departed USS Pennsylvania on a patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean. While approaching Midway Island, it crashed in unknown circumstances. No trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members (two officers and four enlisted men) were ever found. The aircraft was coded VP-6F.
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