Country
Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Puerto Belgrano NAS
Date & Time:
Jan 4, 1961
Operator:
Registration:
2-P-206
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
11481
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed into the Bahía Blanca shortly after takeoff from Puerto Belgrano NAS. All 10 crew members were rescued while the seaplane was written off.
Crash of a Martin PBM-5A Mariner off Fakfak: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 17, 1959
Operator:
Registration:
16-302
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sorong - Sorong
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Following a maritime patrol flight from Sorong-Jefman Airport, the seaplane crashed into the Patipi Bay while trying to land off Fakfak. Five crew members were killed and three others were injured.
Crash of a Martin PBM-5A Mariner in Dabolim: 8 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 10, 1959 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
16-306
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Biak - Negombo - Karachi
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on its way back to The Netherlands for maintenance purposes. En route from Negombo to Karachi, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to divert to Dabolim Airport for an emergency landing. While on approach at a height of 300 meters, the airplane went out of control and crashed in Vasco da Gama, near runway 26 threshold. Four crew members were seriously injured while four others were killed. A day later, all four survivors died from their injuries.
Crew:
Lt P. A. M. Landsdaal,
Lt M. J. A. Baarspul,
Lt J. Quispel,
Sgt A. Dijkema,
Cpl L. Bemer,
Sgt C. N. Gabeler,
Sgt C. Koster,
Sgt S. Bruin.
Crew:
Lt P. A. M. Landsdaal,
Lt M. J. A. Baarspul,
Lt J. Quispel,
Sgt A. Dijkema,
Cpl L. Bemer,
Sgt C. N. Gabeler,
Sgt C. Koster,
Sgt S. Bruin.
Crash of a Martin PBM-5A Mariner into the Atlantic Ocean: 36 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 9, 1958 at 1321 LT
Registration:
CS-THB
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lisbon – Funchal
MSN:
45409
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
36
Copilot / Total hours on type:
890
Aircraft flight hours:
2240
Circumstances:
The airplane was schedule to leave Lisbon at 0700LT but the departure was postponed to midday due to poor weather conditions. It finally left Lisbon-Cabo Ruivo Seaplane Base at 1223LT bound for Funchal, Madeira Island. Shortly after takeoff, the crew was cleared to climb to 8,000 feet and 17 minutes later, the pilot requested the permission to descent to 6,000 feet. At 1321LT, the captain was able to send a brief message 'QUG emergency'. As nothing further was heard from the crew, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 36 occupants was found. The brevity of the message "QUG EMERGENCY" in which QUG means in the international code 'I am forced to alight immediately' and the absence of an answer to questions, show that there was an abnormal situation on board. The signal "QUG" may also mean, "I will be forced to alight at. . . ' when followed by the indication of the place where the alighting will probably take place.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the accident may have been the result of an explosion or a major technical issue was not ruled out.
Final Report:
Crash of a Martin PBM-5A Mariner in Abadan: 10 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 10, 1958
Operator:
Registration:
16-303
Survivors:
No
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The seaplane was transferred from Biak to The Netherlands when the crew encountered technical difficulties en route so a stop was made at Abadan. After two weeks maintenance, permission was given to the crew to continue to Europe but shortly after takeoff, an oil leak on engine number one forced the crew to return to Abadan Airport. On approach, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion few km from the airfield, killing all ten crew members.
Probable cause:
A technical failure occurred on the engine number one whose thrust reversal system was accidentally triggered for reasons that investigations were unable to determine.
Crash of a Martin PBM-5A Mariner off Middelharnis
Date & Time:
Nov 22, 1957 at 1110 LT
Operator:
Registration:
16-305
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For undetermined reason, the seaplane landed hard on the Haringvliet off Middelharnis. On impact, the tail broke off and the airplane came to rest and sank. All seven crew members were injured and evacuated.
Crash of a Martin PBM-5A Mariner at Valkenburg AFB
Date & Time:
Oct 11, 1957 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
16-307
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Valkenburg - Valkenburg
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a demonstration flight, taking part to an airshow at Valkenburg AFB. Following uneventful rotations, the pilot started an approach with one engine voluntarily inoperative. On short final, the second engine lost power, the airplane stalled and hit the runway surface, slid for several yards and came to a halt. All five crew members were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on one engine on final.
Crash of a Martin PBM-5A Mariner in Merauke: 9 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 12, 1957
Operator:
Registration:
16-312
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Merauke-Mopah Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane clip trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. A crew member was rescued while nine others were killed.
Crash of a Martin PBM-5S2 Mariner off Colón: 15 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 31, 1955
Operator:
Registration:
59232
Survivors:
No
MSN:
59232
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
16
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While taking off from the Colón-Coco Solo NAS, the aircraft suffered a right engine failure, lost speed and height and eventually burst into flames while hitting a concrete pier. A crewman survived while 15 others were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine on takeoff.
