Crash of a Martin PBM-3 Mariner off Aratu NAS: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6644
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Aratu NAS - Aratu NAS
MSN:
6644
Location:
Aratu NAS, Salvador de Bahia
Bahia
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crew was engaged in a bombing training mission off the Brazilian coast. After takeoff from Aratu NAS, while climbing, aircraft exploded and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. Five crew were rescued while five others were killed. Aircraft was registered 6644 (VP-211).
Probable cause:
A bomb stored in the cabin exploded for unknown reason shortly after rotation.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner off Virginia Beach: 18 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
48126
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
48126
Location:
Virginia Beach
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
18
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
The float plane and its crew were engaged in a maritime patrol flight off the Virginia coast. In unknown circumstances, the aircraft crashed into the sea. No trace of the aircraft nor the 18 crew was found. The aircraft was registered 48126 (VP-213).

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner into the Caribbean Sea: 10 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6534
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Waller - Waller
MSN:
2987
Location:
Caribbean Sea
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew left Waller Field NAS at Trinidad on a maritime patrol flight. The aircraft failed to return and is supposed to have crashed into the Caribbean Sea, killing the entire crew.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner into the Perquimans River: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
01668
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Perquimans River
North Carolina
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:
During a night training mission, the seaplane was landing on the Perquimans River when it nosed down and sank. All six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner off Trinidad: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6713
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Waller - Waller
Location:
Trinidad and Tobago
All Trinidad and Tobago
Country:
Trinidad and Tobago
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an anti-submarine mission off the coast of Trinidad Island. The aircraft crashed into the sea off the Island in unknown circumstances, but most probably during or after an engagement with enemy submarine. SAR operations did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the 12 crew members based at Waller Field, Trinidad.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner into the Atlantic Ocean: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6722
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
3175
Location:
Atlantic 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:
The crew was engaged in an anti-submarine patrol flight over the Atlantic Ocean. En route, the German submarine U-572 was spotted, cruising some 550 km off the Guyana coast. The crew of the Mariner attacked the submarine that was sunk. But it seems the Mariner was shot down as well and crashed into the sea at 11°35' N 54°06' W. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew:
Lt Clifford C. Cox 11.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3R Mariner off Norfolk NAS: 7 killed

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
Location:
Norfolk
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Norfolk NAS, while on a training mission, the seaplane lost height and fell into the Willoughby Bay. Its nose lodged into mud and sand. Seven crew were killed while five others were injured. The aircraft was partially submerged and damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner off San Juan: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6527
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan - San Juan
MSN:
2980
Location:
San Juan
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from San Juan harbor, while climbing, the seaplane crashed into the sea few miles off shore. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-1 Mariner near Banana River NAS: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
1256
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Banana River - Banana River
MSN:
1256
Location:
Banana River NAS
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight. In unknown circumstances, while flying in the vicinity of the Banana River NAS, the seaplane caught fire and crashed. All 11 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
In flight fire.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3C Mariner off Montauk Point: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
6716
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
3169
Location:
Montauk Point
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While performing a training flight, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off the Montauk Point lighthouse, between Long Island and Block Island. The aircraft was lost and all 12 crew members were killed.
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