Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kahuku: 11 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59077
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe - Kaneohe
MSN:
59077
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
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:
While cruising off Oahu Island, the crew encountered an engine failure and lost control of the seaplane that crashed into the sea some 13 miles off Kahuku. All 11 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kaneohe NAS: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59015
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kaneohe - Kaneohe
MSN:
59015
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While on a training flight, the seaplane went out of control and crashed two miles off Kanehoe NAS, killing all eight crew members.
Probable cause:
It appears the lost of control was caused by an engine failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner off San Jose: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45266
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
45266
Location:
San José
Occidental Mindoro
Country:
Philippines
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off, an engine caught fire and exploded. The seaplane lost height and crashed on the reef off San Jose, in the Mangarin Bay. Quickly on the scene, crew from the USS Half Moon Bay and USS San Pablo were able to evacuated eight injured crew while two others were killed. The aircraft was registered 45266 (VPB-28).
Probable cause:
Explosion on one engine shortly after take off.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner off Kaneohe NAS: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59017
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
59017
Location:
Kaneohe Bay NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While attempting to land at Kaneohe NAS, the seaplane hit the water surface, bounced, nosed down and sunk. Six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner into the Pacific Ocean: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45382
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
45382
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean. En route, the crew lost his orientation and was unable to located his real position. Due to fuel shortage, the captain was forced to ditch the aircraft some 380 km northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The crew of the USS Cape Lopez arrived on scene four days later and was able to evacuate three injured crew members while all seven other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner on Mt Tamalpais: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1944 at 2325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45415
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alameda - Honolulu
MSN:
45415
Location:
San Rafael
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Alameda NAS, while approaching the Golden Gate at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. The captain decided to return to his departure point and started a turn to the right while penetrating a cloudy area. By night, the seaplane hit the slope of Mt Tamalpais located some 5 miles southwest of San Rafael. The wreckage was spotted a day later and all eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
Lt Joseph L. Resley,
Lt Thomas W. Oliver,
Ens Chapin B. Miller,
ACMM Harry L. Holland,
AMM2 Rodney Jeffers,
ARM2 Thomas J. Joyce,
ARM3 John R. Kelly,
AOM2 Wayne D. Paxson.
Photos: http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/pbm5bu.htm
Probable cause:
According to investigations, the sky was broken at the time of the accident, with scattered showers. Due to an insufficient visibility, it was concluded that weather conditions were unsuitable for such transpacific flight. The crew was unable to detect the mountain because it was shrouded by clouds and the visibility was low due to night.

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

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45422
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alameda NAS - Alameda NAS
MSN:
45422
Location:
Alameda NAS (Oakland)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Alameda NAS following a training mission, the seaplane caught fire and crashed in the San Francisco Bay. Three crew members were killed while all five other occupants were injured.

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

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
01669
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Aratu NAS - Aratu NAS
MSN:
3227
Location:
Arembepe
Bahia
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South 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 night training mission from the Aratu NAS located west of Salvador de Bahia. En route, while cruising along the shore, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the ocean, 4 km off Arembepe. All eight occupants were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner off Oahu Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45287
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
45287
Location:
Oahu Island
Hawaii
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:
While on a maritime patrol flight, an engine failed. The captain attempted to ditch the aircraft but the seaplane hit the water surface, broke in two and sunk some 20 miles north of Oahu Island. All nine crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner off Koror: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
45279
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Koror - Koror
MSN:
45279
Location:
Koror
All Palau
Country:
Palau
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a test flight off Koror. As it prepares to land, the seaplane hit the water surface and came to rest. Both pilots were rescued while both other crew members, the radio navigator and the flight engineer, were killed.
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