VPNAVY VP-9 Mishap - Soviet Shot Down 22JUN55 - No Loss Of Life
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MishapVP-81 MishapMishap

1940's

MishapsMISHAPs: 23 JAN 42 A/C: PBY-5A pby Location: NC Strike: Yes BUNO: 02483 Cause: ORGEON INLET,...Plane took off with 1500 gallons of gasoline, four 325lb depth bombs, eight men; power settings, throttle 48 inches, RPM 2700; 65-68kts airspeed after 1200yd run. It apparently struck a high wave or a large water logged piling. Pilot attempted to keep plane in air but it fell back into water heavily and bounced into the air again. After another hard bounce and throttles were cut and an attempt made to full stall landing. The plane bounced twice more before staying on the water. Remarks: The take-off was made nearly down-wind due to pilots error in judging wind directions. Damage: Badly broken in on both sides of step. Stringers broken and plates warped throughout bottom near step. Entire hull structure bent and buckled.Submerged in salt water for 6hrs. Crew OK: Pilot Ens. James L. Smith, Ens. M. E. Himmelberg, Ens. W. E. Welliver, Ens. H. A. Hazzard, Amm3c. B. L. Sulenes, Amm2c. C. C. Larue, Acrm. H. T. Buck, Sea2c.G. L. Deline, and Sea2c. R. F. Keiser. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [Updated 27JUN2001 | Updated 23DEC2000 | 17MAR98]

UPDATE "...I was a crew member of the ill-fated flight that crashed at Oregon Inlet. I was not aboard this flight because I was standing dowm to make room for a Paramount newsreel cameraman and a photographer for the Associated Press. However, these two men were not aboard this flight as their authorization arrived from Washington too late..." Contributed by Harold Hollinger hollyvp81@webtv.net [09SEP98]


MishapsMISHAPs: 08 JUN 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Unknown Strike: Yes BUNO: O2329 Cause: Landing at sea was attempted for purposes of rescuing survivors of sunken vessel. As nose came down starboard wing tip float struck a wave, dug into water and immediately sheared off. This caused waterloop to right which buckled port wing float and struts and damaged that float. Takeoff was attempted during which port wing float sheared off completely. Hull was damaged during second take-off attempt but plane was not taking water. Engines were still running and pilot tried to keep plane on even keel. Interphone failed and in giving orders pilot stuck his right forefinger in the way of the propeller. Wind and waves were increasing and sea anchors were streamed to ease planes motions. By 1500 starboard wing was badly breaking up and plane began to capsize. Crew and confidential gear were taken off by USCG NEMESIS. Plane sunk by gunfire. Crew ok: Pilot Lt(jg). Marshall W. Nicholson (badly cut forefinger), Ens. Fred W. Linden, Ens. Richard K. Fisher, AP1c. Randolph C. Walker, Amm1c. Fred J. Krene, Amm3c. Edward G. Bingham, Amm3c. Charles B. Hill, Arm3c. Russell C. Brooks, and Arm3c. Reino W. Eskola. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [Updated 26JUN2001 | Updated 23DEC2000 | 17MAR98]


MishapsMISHAPs: 09 JUN 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: NAS Strike: No BUNO: 2358 Cause: Plane took off with 1500-gals of gasoline, four 325lbs depth bombs, eight men; power setting, throttle 48 inches, RPM 2700, 65-68 knots airspeed after 1200yd. run. It appears it struck a highway or a large water logged piling. Pilot attempted to keep plane in air, it fell back on to the water, bouncing twice, a full stall landing, bounced two more times before staying on the water. Major damage: Badly broken in on both sides of step, stringers broken & plates warped through out bottom near step. Entire hull structure bent and buckled. Submerged in salt water for six hours. Crew Ok: Pilot Ens James L. Smith, AV-N USNR, Ens M. E. Himmelberg, Ens W. E. Welliver, Ens H. A. Hazzard, AMM3c B. L. Sulenes, AMM2c C. C. Larue, ACRM H. T. Buck (AA), Sea2c G. L. Deline, and Sea2c R. F. Keiser. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [29NOV2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 07 SEP 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Key West, FL Strike: Yes BUNO: 2376 Cause: Crashed on take-off. Take-off was started in a little cross wind. After gaining speed pilot turned slightly to avoid obstructions. Plane began to skid to right; pilot attempted to stall plane off the water to come out of the skid. The starboard windshield was broken by spray and hull strain causing confusion in cockpit as plane was apparently out of control, throttles were cut back. Right wingtip float dug in violently into water, hull broke vertically on port side from keel to top of hull, wing shifted forward and downward and rotate slightly clockwise causing port propeller to dig into cockpit. Large hole was ripped in mechanics compartment and plane sank immediately in 10-ft of water. Damage: Salt water immersion . Aircraft 95% washout. Crew: Pilot. Lt. Robert W. Cummings/Killed, Ens. Robert E. Gregan/Minor inj, Ens. James H. Fick/Minor inj, AP1c. Jack F. Bouldin/Minor inj, Aamic. Thomas Kell/Minor inj, Amm3c. Clifford J. O'Malley/Killed, Wtic. Max G. Moore/Minor inj, Rm2c. Paul D. Eastley/Minor inj, Rm3c. Harold W. Hollinger/Minor inj, and Lt(MC). Bruce L. Kendall/Slightly inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [17MAR98]

UPDATE "...Photographer's Mate 1st Class Raymond F. Town, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan saw action in the Atlantic Theater and Brazil. These WW2 photos were removed from an album found stored in his footlocker, since war's end..." WebSite: EBay http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcsqmac [11MAY2007]

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MishapsMISHAPs: 28 SEP 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Unknown Strike: No BUNO: 2382 Cause: Damaged during night training landing of unqualified pilots. Damage: Replace port wing panel and float. Extensive hull and bottom damage. Pilot & crew Ok. Pilot LCDR Thomas B. Haley (senior pilot) USN. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [03DEC2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 01 NOV 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Unknown Strike: No BUNO: 2349 Cause: Night qualification. Plane water-loop incident during night qualification landings of unqualified pilots. Damage: Port hull bottom washboarded. Both wing tips and wing tip floats damaged. No injuries. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [03DEC2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 02 APR 43 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: NAS Trinidad, British West Indies Strike: Yes BUNO: 2385 Cause: Accident occurred on take-off as a result of leaving water too low an airspeed, dropping back, and bouncing again.upon dropping back the second time the plane was in a nose low attitude and the bow hit a wave and dug in. Damage:Strike aircraft and survey engines. Crew: Pilot. Lt. Stanley R. Quackenbush/Seriously inj, Lt(jg). Walter N. Welch/Slightly inj, Lt(jg). Richard K. Fisher/Minor inj, Lt(jg). John W. Eden/Seriously inj, CAP. Robert W. Grissom/Minor inj, Amm3c. Lawrence H.May/Minor inj, Amm3c. John F. Canfield/Minor inj, Rm1c. William J. Utterback/Minor inj, Rm3c. Ross P. Wallace/Minor inj, and Arc. L. B. Friend/Minor inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [12JUL2001]


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