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MishapVP-113 MishapMishap

1940's

MishapsMISHAPs: 30 NOV 43 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: South coast of Portugal Strike: Yes BUNO: 63931 CAUSE: Lost, fuel exhaustion, pilot attempted a landing on what was thought to be a beach. With landing gear fully extended, flaps set at one-half down, flares released, but did not illuminate. Plane landed on water off shore from the beach at a speed of 125 knots, fuselage broke and pilots compartment shattered. Some personnel were thrown clear and plane sank in eighteen meters of water. Survivors rescued by fishing boat. Crew: Pilot Lt Richard Trum USNR/Minor inj, Lt(jg) John Woodrow Eden/Minor inj, Rm3c Earl Edgar Bowers/Serious Inj, Rm3c George Austin Doane/Killed, Aom3c Donald Eugene Peterson/Killed, Amm3c Frank William Taylor/Killed, Amm2c Lyle Gordon VanHook/Minor inj, Amm3c William Richardson Stultz/Seriously inj, Amm3c Rex Lee McCoy/Seriously inj, Aom3c Julian O'Neal Pierce/Minor inj, Ens.Clarence Arthur Miller/Killed. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [27AUG2001]

UPDATE History ThumbnailCameraDonald Eugene Peterson "...Uncle Don was a Naval Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd class on a PB4Y-1 ( B-24 ) bomber in Patrol Bombing Squadron VB-112. Because of the hardship my uncle Don's death caused to her family, my mother was released from her government defense contract job at International Harvester in Minnesota. She was allowed to move to Portland Oregon where her family had gone to find work in the ship yards. She found a job with a woman named Helen that was doing church work there and Helen became her best friend. She was also the aunt of my dad. When Helen went home to South Dakota on vacation, she insisted my mother come along with her. While there she met my dad on his farm, fell in love, and the rest is history. If my uncle Don hadn't died, my sister and I, my children and my grandchildren would never have been born. God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform..." WebSite: Uncle Don http://www.qsl.net/wb0ydi/don.html [29NOV2005]

UPDATE "...On 30 November 1943 a pilot, Lt. R. L. Trum, in Bomber Squadron VB-112 crashed after becoming lost off Faro, Portugal during an anti-submarine patrol. Five crew members were killed. The survivors returned to base on 10 December. Killed in action were: Ensign Clarence Arthur Miller, Earl Edgar Sowers, ARM3c, George Austin Doane, ARM3c, Donald Eugene Peterson, AOM3c, and Frank William Taylor, AMM3c. My uncle was Donald Eugene Peterson lost on that day. I'm a Vietnam veteran myself and I became interested in my uncles life story. From what my mother has told me I think we had much in common. I was wondering if there is any one around who still remembers the incident and knew my uncle? Any information would be welcome. Thank you...David Eugene Koopman davidkoopman@hotmail.com..." [17JAN2003]


MishapsMISHAPs: 30 NOV 43 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: NAF Port Lyautey, Morocco Strike: Yes BUNO: 92950 CAUSE: Anti-submarine Sweep: Pilot and crew departed at 0816, to make an anti-submarine sweep in the vicinity of 40-40N 19-00W. Plane carried 2660 gallons of gasoline in its main and auxiliary tanks, sufficient for fifteen hours of operation. The flight was for twelve hours with an ETA at Port Lyautey. At 2145, pilot called tower for landing instructions and reported he had thirty minutes of fuel remaining. He was advised by tower that the field was closed due to fog and that he should proceed to Marrakech. Pilot proceeded to the nearest alternate field, which was Ras Elma. but was unable to contact them by radio. Pilot headed plane out to sea, ordered crew to put on parachutes and bail out as plane had reached it fuel limitation. Crew: Pilot Lt(jg) John Meredith Hill/Missing, Ens Samuel Smith Burdge/Missing, Ens A. P. Fisher (navigator)/Minor inj, Amm2c Harry Edward Mackey/Missing, Amm2c Walter Willson Weatherill (died), Rm3c Walter Sylvester/Missing, Rm3c David Bernard McQuillen/Missing, C. H. Powell (mechanic)/Minor inj, J. R. LeGault,Jr.(gunner)/Minor inj, J. J. Arnold(ordnance)/Minor inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [27AUG2001]

UPDATE "...Re: VP-112 Squadron Mishap History. I'm son of Pilot LT(jg) John Meredith Hill, MIA, 30NOV43. If anyone out there knew him, I would like very much to hear from you. Thank you....John Meredith Hill, Jr. hillj1@scranton.edu..." [05NOV2003]


MishapsMISHAPs: 11 DEC 44 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: 5mi. northwest of NAS Boca Chica, Florida Strike: Yes BUNO: 32262 Cause: Immediate ditched after take-off. #4 propeller tachometer indicated 1200rpm and propeller automatically full feathered. Pilot attempted to unfeather #4 engine unsuccessfully and later #3 propeller automatically full feathered;"Strike" Crew: Pilot Lt Allan R. Dressner A-1L USNR/Ok, Lt(jg) Albert R. Marshall USN/Ok, Amm1c Homer H. Lane USNR/Minor inj, Arm2c Edward J. Carlson USNR/Minor inj, Art2c Willis I. Jensen USNR/Seriously inj, and Amp3c James D. Kessler USNR/Minor inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25OCT2001]


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