Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-N488

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Moscow - Moscow

MSN:

2817

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

1102

Circumstances:

The seaplane was carrying one passenger and five crew members who were completing a post maintenance test flight. The crew was attempting to land in the Khimki Reservoir located northwest of Moscow when the aircraft hit the water surface, nosed down and overturned. Two crew members were killed while three other occupants were injured. The passenger was unhurt and the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

The accident was the result of a wrong approach configuration on part of the pilot in command. Investigations stated that the approach speed was set at 220 km/h instead of the prescribed 170 km/h, and in a slight nose down attitude. This caused the aircraft to overturn while contacting the water surface that was, at the time of the accident, considered as glassy (mirror effect) due to the position of the sun and a calm water.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Georgetown: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1950 at 1030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

A24-105

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Site:

Schedule:

Rathmines – Townsville – Darwin

MSN:

1956

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On the leg from Townsville to Darwin, while cruising 30 km from Georgetown, the flight engineer informed the pilot about a fuel leak on the left engine. The captain decided to divert to Georgetown Airport for an emergency landing but on final, the seaplane was unstable, banking left and right. The pilot increased power on the right engine and attempted a go around when the aircraft banked right, stalled, overturned and crashed in flames in a field located about 5 km from the airport. Five crew members were killed instantly while two others were seriously injured. One of the survivors died from his injuries few hours later.
Crew:
F/Lt David Northey, pilot, †
John Gilbert Humprey Alexander, pilot, †
Leo Maurice Sattler, pilot, †
Alexander John Brown, navigator, †
Frank Slater, flight engineer,
Maurice Henry Wood, flight engineer, †
William Bedford, wireless operator. †

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine caused by a fuel leak.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Kingston

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VP-BAO

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami – Nassau – Kingston

MSN:

118

YOM:

1941

Location:

Kingston

Kingston City District

Country:

Jamaica

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged on a ferry flight from Miami to Kingston with an intermediate stop in Nassau, following inspections and repairs. During the flight from Nassau to Kingston, both engines failed and the aircraft was forced to alight on the sea south of Kingston. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Source:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19500409-0

Probable cause:

The primary cause of the accident was the failure of both engines due to stoppage of fuel supply. This resulted in a forced alighting in a heavy sea with subsequent damage due to which the aircraft sank. The investigation board considers that the following were contributory factors to the accident:
- Incorrect installation of Fuel Shut Off cocks,
- Failure to rectify fuel sight gauges,
- Seizure of fuel selector valves precluding proper pre-flight fuel system checks in Miami and Nassau,
- Inadequate final handing over inspection of aircraft,
- Inadequate acceptance inspection of aircraft,
- Weather conditions at Kingston which precluded a more direct approach.

Crash of a Consolidated PB2B-1 Catalina off Wellington

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

NZ4051

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Greater Wellington Regional Council

MSN:

60958

YOM:

1944

Location:

Wellington

Country:

New Zealand

Region:

Oceania

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Sank during takeoff into the Evans Bay in Wellington when seawater flooded aircraft. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Consolidated A-10B Catalina off Jaqué: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Operator:

Registration:

45-57840

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The seaplane left Albrook AFB in Panama City that day on a maritime patrol mission. Cruising along the Panamanian coast, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few dozen km off Jaqué. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Iguape: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1949 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PP-BLB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rio de Janeiro – Iguape

MSN:

YOM:

1941

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On landing on the Mar Pequeno, the seaplane hit an obstacle, overturned and sank. A crew member and two passengers were killed while 22 other occupants were rescued.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Agadir: 17 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1949 at 2055 LT

Type of aircraft:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Operator:

Registration:

46564

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Agadir - Agadir

MSN:

1928

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Based in Agadir Airport, the crew was performing a survey mission over the Ghir Cape, the Oued Souss and the Moroccan coast on behalf of the French Navy (Aéronavale). The seaplane left Agadir Airport at 1930LT with a return time scheduled at 2200LT. En route, the crew maintained several radio contacts with the base when a fire ball was spotted on water off Agadir at 2055LT. The crew of the french submarine christened 'Astrée' arrived on the scene (some 7 NM west of Agadir) within twenty minutes and met on site the Spanish trawler christened 'Javier Cloret' which was cruising in the vicinity when the accident occurred. The nose wheel was found during the following night but no trace of the 17 occupants who were considered as deceased. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as fine with sky clear and no turbulences. All 17 occupants were killed and all 8 passengers were officers from the cruiser christened 'Jeanne d'Arc'. The aircraft was registered 46564 (22.S-3).
Crew:
BRETON Robert, radio operator,
FEVRE Jean,
GROSMAITRE Roland, engineer,
HUIBAN René, pilot,
LE BOT Gabriel, engineer,
MOY Louis, engineer,
RAIGNE Jean,
ROUVIERE Michel,
TOUZET Pierre, pilot.
Passengers:
AUBRON Daniel,
AUDIC Louis,
COUËTOUX Jean,
DAUTRY Louis,
GALOUZEAU de VILLEPIN Gonzague,
JAFFRÈS Claude,
NOÉ Michel,
ROBERT André.

Probable cause:

The French Navy concluded that no evidence could be made to explain the accident which was not caused by a pilot error in flight or a technical failure. Experts believes in the following assumptions: or the crew was trying to land or he did not sea the water surface while cruising by night.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Luperón: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

La Legión Caribe

Registration:

N1096M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site: