Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Gavutu Island
Date & Time:
Mar 24, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
08136
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gavutu – Luganville
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a combat mission over the Gavutu Island, the aircraft was returning to its base in Luganville with nine crew members on board. Shortly after take off, the pilot initiated a sharp turn when both engines stopped. He attempted an emergency landing but the seaplane hit the water surface 1,2 km off shore and came to rest. While all nine crew members could evacuate and were rescued, the aircraft sunk by 60 feet deep and was lost.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the engine failed during a sharp turn because water in the tank sucked into the carburetors.
