MISHAPs: 28 DEC 43 A/C: PB4Y-1 Location: Ferry from UK to United States Strike: Yes BUNO: 32035 Cause: Non combat mission. Ferry from UK to United States. Extended flight to Marrakech. Took-off on runway #26, St. Mangans Field at 0200. After take-off pilot held an altitude of 20 to 330-ft for a quarter of a mile, then started climb. At approximately 300-ft, he made a steep turn to port; losing altitude, he recovered, bringing him directly over the field on a course of ninety degrees to the runway in use at an altitude of 100-ft. Then he went into a rapid climb seaward and because his navigation lights, formation lights and landing lights were all on. The altitude of the aircraft was readily distinguishable. At approximately 600-ft, he started another tight turn to port at which time his left wing dropped violently, the aircraft nose over, diving into the shore, approximately two miles west-north-west of the field. Plane exploded on impact. Crew and passengers killed: Pilot Lt Rance A. Thompson A-V(N) USNR, Ens Normand H. Terault A-V(S) USNR, Ens Louis T. Perkins,Jr. A-V(N) USNR, Ens Robert L. Scott A-V(N) USNR, Ens Harold C. Nylund A-V(N) USNR, Ens Harold L. Rosenberg A-V(N) USNR, Aom3c Charles R. Minnela USNR, Rm3c Harry Jetter USNR, Rm3c Edward G. Forkel USN, Amm3c Thomas J. Zock USN, Amm1c Edwin H. Rogers USN, and Lt B. M. Brown USArmy. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [28AUG2001]

MISHAPs: 11 DEC 44 A/C: PB4Y-1 Location: NAS Boca Chica Strike: Yes BUNO: 32262 Cause: DITCHED Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [18MAR98]

"...Radar test; #3 and #4 engines went to full feather on take-off, pilot error, ditched 5 mi.north-west of Nas Boca Chica; No inj..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [23DEC2000]

---

MISHAPs: 31 JAN 44 A/C: PB4Y-1 Location: Block Island Strike: Yes BUNO: 32181 The wreckage of Bureau # 32181 has been located in 150 feet of water off Block Island. The aircraft has been missing since 31 January 1944. At the time of the disappearance the plane was assigned to VB-114. The appropriate government agencies have been contact but have expressed no interest in investigating the wreck to ascertain whether or not the remains of the 10 crewmen lost with the aircraft are still aboard. Am presently looking for the next of kin of the following crewmen: LT Harold L Neff, LT Hubert C. McClellan, ENS NB Kinney, AMM1C AJ Lien, AMM2 P. Yezerski, ARM3 C. Kline, ARM3 WJ Hinger, AMM3 N. Hornstein, ARM3 W. Hardin, and AOM2 JH Linehan..." WebSite: http://wfirg.com/ [18MAR98]

"...I am the Grandson of LT Hubert C. McClellan who was lost while serving with VPB-114 on January 31st, 1944. I would like to hear from any former Shipmates who may have known my Grandfather..." Contributed by Mark Ponitz ponitz@sbcglobal.net [25AUG2011]

"VP-114 Summary Page"

---