Avalon (Catalina Island)

Operator:

Registration:

N22932

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Avalon - San Pedro

MSN:

B139

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13300

Captain / Total hours on type:

4000.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from the bay of Avalon, the twin engine seaplane lost height and crashed into the sea. A passenger was killed while three other occupants were injured, the pilot seriously.

Probable cause:

Airframe failure during initial climb after the elevator tab control system failed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Up elevator cable separated 3 to 4 feet forward of station 29.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Avalon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1979 at 1007 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N11CS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

San Pedro - Avalon

MSN:

1166

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9335

Captain / Total hours on type:

455.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Avalon (Santa Catalina Island) in marginal weather conditions with low clouds and fog, the pilot decided to initiate a go-around after noticing boat wakes. Doing so, the seaplane stalled, lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off Pebbly Beach. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured while seven other occupants escaped with minor injuries. A passenger drowned.

Probable cause:

Stall during a go-around after the pilot misjudged distance, speed and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility two miles or less,
- Low altitude straight-in approach toward seaplane ramp,
- Go-around after noticing boat wakes.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-73 Mallard off Avalon

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1979 at 1640 LT

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-73 Mallard

Operator:

Registration:

N95DF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Avalon - Long Beach

MSN:

J-19

YOM:

1947

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6500

Captain / Total hours on type:

85.00

Circumstances:

While taking off from the Avalon harbour, the seaplane struck three successive waves. On impact, the left engine and the left were torn off. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair. All 11 occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Engine tearaway during takeoff run after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain and failed to abort takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Premature liftoff,
- Overload failure.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Santa Catalina Island

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1976 at 1620 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N18CS

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Camp Fox - San Pedro

MSN:

B059

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11517

Captain / Total hours on type:

1376.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Camp Fox (Santa Catalina Island), while cruising at low height, the left engine failed. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing but unstable, the seaplane struck the water surface, lost its left float and came to rest upside down. All 10 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was not recovered.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Incorrect trim setting,
- Left engine lost power,
- Did not feather left propeller,
- Un maintain altitude,
- Landed cross swell,
- Float separated,
- Sank in ocean.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Avalon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1968 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Catalina Seaplanes

Registration:

N325

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

B127

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14000

Captain / Total hours on type:

3000.00

Circumstances:

While flying at low height, the pilot lost control of the seaplane that crashed into the sea few dozen yards off Avalon. Few debris were found floating on water but the pilot's body was never found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-73 Mallard off Avalon: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1967 at 1017 LT

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-73 Mallard

Operator:

Registration:

N2968

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Avalon – San Diego

MSN:

J-25

YOM:

1947

Flight number:

216

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7054

Captain / Total hours on type:

6271.00

Circumstances:

While leaving the Avalon-Pebbly Beach seaplane base, the airplane struck waves caused by an engine-boat. The airplane went out of control, overturned and crashed. A pilot was killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft was lost.

Probable cause:

The pilot added power to continue takeoff when the airplane struck waves and failed to abort takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Avalon

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1964 at 0740 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4221A

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Avalon – Long Beach

MSN:

1029

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

Region:

Wilmington-Catalina Airlines

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7600

Captain / Total hours on type:

4100.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from the Bay of Avalon, while climbing, the pilot apparently encountered engine problems. He elected to make an emergency landing but the seaplane was ditched and later sank. All 10 occupants were evacuated safely.

Probable cause:

The cause of the accident was undetermined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas Dolphin off Avalon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1933

Type of aircraft:

Douglas Dolphin

Operator:

Registration:

NC12212

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Avalon – Wilmington

MSN:

1002

YOM:

1931

Location:

Country:

Region:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Avalon's harbor, while climbing, the float plane crashed into the sea for unknown reasons. The captain Walter L. Seiler was seriously injured while the copilot George R. Baker and the passenger were killed. The crew was positioning to Wilmington to complete the first commercial flight of the day to the Catalina Island.
Crew:
Walter L. Seiler, pilot,
George R. Baker, copilot.
Passenger:
Elliott McFarlan Moore, General Manager of Wilmington-Catalina Airlines.

Crash of a Curtiss F-5L in Avalon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1923

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss F-5

Operator:

Registration:

A-3359

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region: