Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Palmyra Island

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1980 at 0700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Fred C. Sorenson
Registration:
N163R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Honolulu - Palmyra
MSN:
2492A
YOM:
1943
Location:
Palmyra Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Honolulu to the Palmyra Atoll, carrying amateur radio operators. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with trees. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all nine occupants evacuated, some of them were injured. On approach, the pilot estimated cross wind gusting to 15 knots but the wind was calm below tree level on runway.
Probable cause:
Ground loop upon touchdown and subsequent collision with trees due to improper compensation for wind conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Windshear,
- Visibility 3 mils or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-40-DL into the Pacific Ocean: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-23965
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Hickam - Palmyra Island
MSN:
9827
YOM:
1943
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
En route from Hickam AFB (Honolulu) to Cooper Airfield on Palmyra Atoll, the aircraft disappeared into the ocean while approaching Palmyra. As the aircraft did not arrive, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 14 crew members was found. The last radio contact with the crew reported a position about 80 km northeast of Palmyra Atoll.
Crew:
Lt Col James P. Barr Jr.,
Maj Elmer C. Best,
1st Lt Charles F. Bowers,
Cpt Jack E. Copeland,
S/Sgt Raymond G. Curtis,
T/Sgt Thomas W. Graves,
1st Lt William H. Henderson,
S/Sgt Carmelo A. Lauricella,
2nd Lt Vincent Leonard,
Cpt Floyd S. Lewis,
Cpt George H. McIlwain,
Cpt Marvin F. Stahl,
Pfc Louis A. Tomasulo,
1st Lt John J. Zidzik.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Palmyra Island: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1490
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1490
YOM:
1940
Location:
Palmyra Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Hawaii to Australia. En route, the aircraft entered adverse weather conditions with turbulence. The aircraft went out off control and crashed into the sea off Palmyra Island, killing all seven crew members.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in stormy weather.

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder off Palmyra Island: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1469
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1469
YOM:
1940
Location:
Palmyra Atoll
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Hawaii to Australia. En route, while flying in stormy weather, the control was lost and the aircraft crashed into the sea off Palmyra Island. Four crew members were killed while two others were rescued.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Pearl Harbor: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1942 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
2452
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Palmyra Atoll - Pearl Harbor
MSN:
0288
YOM:
1941
Location:
Pearl Harbor
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The floatplane suffered an accident at Palmyra Atoll after colliding with coral reef resulting in extensive damage to the hull. After being repaired, it was transferred on January 11 to Pearl Harbor. Upon landing in darkness, the airplane landed hard and sank. Three crew members were killed and two others were injured.
Crew:
Ens Glen S. Stewart, pilot, †
Ens C. V. Lindsey, †
AMM1 E. E. Ruark, †
RM2 B. W. Gross,
AMM3 R. J. Redhage.
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