Crash of a Martin JRM-3 Mars on Mt Moriarty: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Martin JRM-3 Mars
Operator:
Forest Industries Flying Tankers
Registration:
CF-LYJ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
9265
YOM:
1946
Location:
Mt Moriarty (Vancouver Island)
British Columbia
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While taking part to a fire fighting mission in the region of Parksville, Vancouver Island, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Moriarty located north of Fourth Lake. The airplane was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was the consequence of a failure of the water drop mechanism, which left the aircraft too heavy to climb quickly enough to avoid the mountain. However, no definite cause has officially been documented for this accident.

Crash of a Martin JRM-3 Mars off Honolulu

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Martin JRM-3 Mars
Operator:
Registration:
76822
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
9266
YOM:
1946
Location:
Honolulu
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, an engine caught fire, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in the Ke'ehi lagoon located off Honolulu. All crew members were able to vacate the cabin and were unhurt. Unfortunately, the seaplane christened 'Marshall Mars' was destroyed by fire and several explosions and eventually sank. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Martin JRM-3 Mars off Virginia Beach

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin JRM-3 Mars
Operator:
Registration:
76819
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
9263
YOM:
1945
Location:
Virginia Beach
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a test flight on this Martin JRM-3 Mars christened 'Hawaii Mars'. While cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet, severe vibrations forced the crew to reduce his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing in the Chesapeake Bay off Virginia Beach. On landing, the seaplane partially broke up and nosed down in water. All ten crew members were rescued and the aircraft was later recovered but considered as written off.
Probable cause:
It appears that a section of the vertical tail fin broke away in flight, causing severe vibrations and forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft.
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