Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner off Koror: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
48189
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
48189
Location:
Koror
All Palau
Country:
Palau
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a night maritime patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean. En route, the pilot encountered unclear technical problems and reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. On landing, the seaplane overturned and sunk some 200 km off Koror, Palau Island. While seven crew members were rescued, three others were killed.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner off Koror: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
48165
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
48165
Location:
Koror
All Palau
Country:
Palau
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While performing a reconnaissance mission over the Pacific Ocean, pilots lost control of the aircraft following an engine failure. The seaplane crashed into the sea off Palau Island and was lost. All ten crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner into the Pacific Ocean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45226
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
45226
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route, an engine suffered technical problems and the captain elected to ditch the aircraft. In unknown circumstances, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea some 1,500 km east of the Marshall Islands. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner off Hamilton: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6717
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
6717
Location:
Hamilton
All Bermuda
Country:
Bermuda
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training mission when the seaplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion some 20 miles north of Hamilton, Bermuda. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the mishap.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner off Porlamar: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
01726
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
3284
Location:
Porlamar
Nueva Esparta
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While cruising at a height of some 200 feet, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew lost control of the aircraft that plunged into the sea few km off shore. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner off Rio de Janeiro: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6571
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
3024
Location:
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in an anti-submarine combat off the Brazilian coast. In unknown circumstances, the seaplane crashed into the sea off Rio de Janeiro, killing all ten crew members.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner Flying Boat off George Town: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
01697
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
3255
Location:
George Town
Exuma
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a convoy flight to the US. While taking off from the George Town harbor, the captain spotted another aircraft on his path and decided to make a turn to avoid any collision. Doing this, the seaplane hit a buoy and sunk quickly. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner Flying Boat into the Pacific Ocean: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45216
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
45216
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Crashed into the Pacific Ocean in unclear circumstances. All SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 12 crew members was found. According to the USAAF, it may be possible that the Flying Boat was accidentally shot down by friendly fire from a US destroyer cruising in the area as its transponder was out of service at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3R Mariner Flying Boat off Alameda NAS: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6497
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alameda NAS - Alameda NAS
MSN:
6497
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shortly after its take off from Alameda NAS, while climbing, the seaplane exploded in mid air and crashed into the San Francisco Bay. All nine crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner Flying Boat in Hertford: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45263
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Harvey Point - Harvey Point
MSN:
45263
Location:
Hertford
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a high altitude bombing exercise. For unknown reason, the seaplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in the Harvey Point military zone. All nine crew members were killed. The aircraft was registered 45263 (VP-21).
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