VPNAVY VP-9 Mishap - Soviet Shot Down 22JUN55 - No Loss Of Life
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MishapVP-105 MishapMishap

1940's

MishapsMISHAPs: 13 JUN 43 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: Neuse River, off MCAS Cherry Pt, NC BUNO: 32026 Cause: Force landed due to engine failure and failure of other engines to supply necessary power to sustain flight. Crew: Pilot Lt(jg) Ralph Waldo Hathaway A-V(N) USNR/Killed, Lt(jg) Frank Welsh/Minor inj, Ens Joseph A. Forse/Minor inj, Rm2c W. T. Applegate/Minor inj, Rm3c Benjamin F. Davis/Minor inj, Amm2c James H.DeWeese/Minor inj, Aom3c Bertrand F. Gibbs/Minor inj, Amm1c Raymond M. Lavender/Minor inj, and Amm1c James H. Johnson/Minor inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [20AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 15 JUL 43 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: Bermuda BUNO: 32042 Cause: Crashed at sea five minutes after take-off. Adm Report: Plane crashed at sea a few minutes after take-off cause being undetermined. Pilot and ten passengers were lost. No radio communications were transmitted so it is thought that the emergency occurred quite suddenly. Crew killed. Pilot Lt Emil Edward Coolman A-V(N) USNR, Lt(jg) W. J. Alldridge A-V(N) USNR, Ens Morton Abbott A-V(N) USNR, Amm2c John J. Schubert (fo) USNR, Amm3c Lansford E. Baker (fo) USNR, Rm1c James Henry Taylor (fo) USNR, Rm3c Reno J. Caldarela (fo) USNR, Amm3c David Anthony Bourque (fo) USNR, Amm3c Joseph Eugene White,Jr. (fo) USNR, Aom3c Norman Taylor,Jr. (fo) USNR, and Sea1c Agustus F. Surgosh (fo) USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [21AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 23 OCT 43 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: Unknpwm BUNO: 63917 Cause: Missing on patrol; Search made for five days. Possible enemy action, could account for this loss. Crew Missing; Pilot Lt Thomas Rudolph Evers A-V(N) USNR, Lt(jg) David William Emmett A-V(N) USNR, Ens James Harry O'Hara A-V(N) USNR, Ens Edward Joseph Ellis A-V(S) USNR, Aom1c Kendal Leroy Dungey USN, Amm3c Donald Sweeney USNR, Rm2c John Franklin Wagner USNR, Rm3c James Timothy Goble USN, Am3c Brown Henry Smith USNR, and Aom2c Raymond Otto Haines USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25AUG2001]

UPDATE "...My Mother's cousin Ens James O'Hara was aboard BUNO 63917. I am most interested in learning more about that day's action. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Howard Rundell g5av8or@aol.com Captain USNR(Ret)..." Forwarded by P. Fazzini phillip.fazzini@zoomtown.com..." [02OCT2007]

UPDATE "...VB-105 BUNO: 63917 shot down 23OCT43 by a German plane type BV222 . See http://pub157.ezboard.com/fluftwaffeexperten71774frm12.showMessage?topicID=19.topic...P. Fazzini phillip.fazzini@zoomtown.com..." [21JAN2004]

UPDATE "...My cousin James H. O'Hara was the pilot of a PB4Y. He was killed we believe over the English Channel during WW II I would like to know if anyone has any information on him. Thanks. James S. O'Hara n8jo@hotmail.com..." [03NOV2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 23 OCT 44 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: RAF Station Dunkswell,UK BUNO: 63919 Cause: Anti-submarine patrol. Crew was briefed at 0000 for a 0200 take-off on a operational mission. Engines were started and then stopped in order to investigate landing light which would not retract. The flight was cancelled and because of delay and another mission was assigned. Crew left plane on he taxiway with a guard and proceeded to briefing room. The pitot tube covers were removed at 0130 and were not replaced. Dewpoint during that period was 49 and intermittent showers were prevalent. The crew returned to plane at about 0415, turned up and taxied out to runway.Engines were tested and turbo-superchargers run up. Observers stated that operation of engines seemed normal at the time and during initial take-off run. Plane became airborne after using about 4500-ft of the 6000-ft runway. Plane reached an altitude of 50-ft on crossing the end of the runway and climbing steadily to an altitude of about 250 to 300-ft. Torching of one of the starboard engines was evidenced and soon thereafter the plane commenced a gradual descent. The left wing slowly dropped and emergency power applied. Observers stated landing lights were turned on. Plane crashed and exploded at a point 5250' from point of take-off and 20deg left of the runway direction. Crew killed. Pilot Lt(jg) John C. Hillman A-V(N) USNR, Lt(jg) Armand E. Trafton A-V(N) USNR, Ens Edwin Claude Creeger,Jr. A-V(S) USNR, Amm1c Clyde Eugene Rodgers USNR, Amm2c George Theodore Charland,Jr. USNR, Rm1c William Odell Finch USNR, Rm2c John Campbell Howatt USNR, Amm3c Leroy Lawrence Wemette USNR, Rm3c Ralph Harry Cole USN, and Aom3c Brenton Massey, Jr. USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25AUG2001]

UPDATE "...Shipmate Pix HILLMAN, LT(jg) John C...LT(jg) John C.Hillman USNR was a pilot in command of a PB4Y-1 (B-24) Liberator at NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England. He took off for an anti-submarine patrol in plane # 63915 of VPB-105 on Oct 23,1943, but the Liberator exploded killing all on board. He is also commemorated on the plaque in St. Nicholas Parish church at Dunkeswell Village, UK. "Lest we forget." Burial: Cypress Hills Cemetery Brooklyn Kings County New York, USA Created by: David Earl Record added: Jul 07, 2001. Find A Grave Memorial# 5594882. WebSite: FindAGrave http://www.findagrave.com/..." Contributed by P. Fazzini phillip.fazzini@zoomtown.com [18JUN2009]


MishapsMISHAPs: 12 NOV 44 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: Unknown BUNO: 38798: Cause: Operational mission. Since normally used longest runway was closed for repairs, pilot attempted to take-off from the next longest runway (4200-ft). During take-off run #2 propeller governor malfunctioned and pilot aborted take-off, ad running off end of runway into wet muddy terrain where it slid for approx. fifteen yards and crashed into a hedgerow. "Strike" Crew ok. Pilot Lt James R. Atwill USNR, Lt Harry J. Dicken USNR, Amm2c Irwin Blefeld USNR, Rm2c Marcus B. Peterson USNR, Amm2c John P. Register USNR, and Amm3c Roy E. Curtis USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 03 JAN 45 A/C: PB4Y-1L PB4Y-1 Location: England Strike: Yes BUNO: 38947 Cause: HIT HILL 50' FROM TOP, SLID 150yds & BURNED 105deg.6.5mi.from Exeter Airport, England. Weather;Patches of rain, sleet and snow flurries. The aircraft was returning from an operational mission and had been diverted to Exeter Airport because of bad weather at home base. Pilot had made contact with the field lights and asked for landing instructions. Downwind approach was 90deg. magnetic and was continued untill six miles from the airport. The runway in use was 270deg. Upon starting turn to base leg plane, during downwind landing at night, struck a 600-ft hill approximately fifty feet from the top, sliding along for one-hundred-seventy-five yards, coming to a rest and burned.... Pilot: Lt. George E. Pantano/Killed, Ens. Walter T. Wilson/Minor inj, Ens. M. W. Garber/Killed, Aom3c W. J. Antonik/Killed, Ammf3c G. A. Matta/Killed, Sea1c A. R. Pelath/Killed, Amm3c A. E. Simmons/Killed, Amm1c Joseph C. Juhasz/Minor inj, Arm3c Clarke R. Willey, Jr. USNR/Minor inj, and Arm3c Dean G. Ludlow/Minor inj..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [Updated 25OCT2001 | 23DEC2000]

UPDATE History ThumbnailCameraAntonik brothers, from left, Bronislaw P., Walter Joseph and John Jr. "...Walter J. Antonik Killed In Crash - Navy Ordinanceman Loses Life in Bomber - Belleville Times..." WebSite: http://harborsidenj.com/bel_w2_antonik_walter.html [16FEB2008]

(Jan. 11, 1945) -- Walter J. Antonik, 20, was killed Jan. 3 in the crash of a Liberator bomber on which he was a gunner and ordnanceman.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Antonik of Ralph Street.

The patrol bomber, VPB-105, serial No. 38947, was returning from an operational mission and had been diverted to Exeter Airport due to bad weather, including patches of rain, sleet and snow flurries at its home base at Fleet Air Wing 7, Dunkeswell Airfield.

The pilot, Lt. George E. Pantano, had made contact with the field lights and asked for landing instructions.

Upon starting turn to base leg, the plane, during a downwind landing at night struck 50 feet from the top of a 600-foot Beacon Hill, Sidmouth, near Honiton.

The aircraft slid along for 175 yards before coming to a rest and burning.

Killed were Pilot Pantano, Ensign M. W. Garber, Walter Antonik, Ammf3c G. A. Matta, Sea1c A. R. Pelath, and Amm3c A. E. Simmons.

Crew members who escaped with minor injuries were Ensign Walter T. Wilson, Amm1c Joseph C. Juhasz, Arm3c Clarke R. Willey, Jr., and Arm3c Dean G. Ludlow.

The U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Air Force operated from Dunkeswell Airfield, England, during WWII, protecting the convoys and keeping open the vital sea lanes from America to Great Britain.

Walter Antonik graduated from Belleville High School in 1942.

He entered the Navy in Jan. 29, 1943. He received his boot training at Sampson and his radar/gunner training at Memphis, Tenn., Jacksonville, Fla., Chincoteague, Va., and Boca Chica, Fla.

Antonik went overseas in October.

He is also survived by his brothers John C. Antonik and Bronislaw P. Antonik, both presently in service.

UPDATE "...Local Navy Flier Honored On Memorial In England - Walter Antonik Among Men KIA From Dunkeswell Air Base - Belleville Times..." WebSite: http://harborsidenj.com/bel_w2_antonik_walter.html [16FEB2008]

(Aug. 2, 1945) -- A memorial was dedicated by Fleet Air Wing Seven and contained the names of 182 other U.S. Navy men who lost their lives while operating from the Air Station.

The memorial is located at the U.S. Naval Air Facility at Dunkeswell, England. The site is five miles inland from the English Channel, near Exeter, Devon. It is the only U.S. Naval Air Station in England.

A memorial organ in Kuneswell Parish Church has the names of the men on a bronze tablet.

UPDATE History ThumbnailCameraB. P. Antonik "...Military Awards Given..." WebSite: http://harborsidenj.com/bel_w2_antonik_walter.html [16FEB2008]

(Jan. 11, 1945) -- Walter J. Antonik, 20, was killed Jan. 3 in the crash of a Liberator bomber on which he was a gunner and ordnanceman.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Antonik of Ralph Street.

The patrol bomber, VPB-105, serial No. 38947, was returning from an operational mission and had been diverted to Exeter Airport due to bad weather, including patches of rain, sleet and snow flurries at its home base at Fleet Air Wing 7, Dunkeswell Airfield.

The pilot, Lt. George E. Pantano, had made contact with the field lights and asked for landing instructions.

Upon starting turn to base leg, the plane, during a downwind landing at night struck 50 feet from the top of a 600-foot Beacon Hill, Sidmouth, near Honiton.

The aircraft slid along for 175 yards before coming to a rest and burning.

Killed were Pilot Pantano, Ensign M. W. Garber, Walter Antonik, Ammf3c G. A. Matta, Sea1c A. R. Pelath, and Amm3c A. E. Simmons.

Crew members who escaped with minor injuries were Ensign Walter T. Wilson, Amm1c Joseph C. Juhasz, Arm3c Clarke R. Willey, Jr., and Arm3c Dean G. Ludlow.

The U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Air Force operated from Dunkeswell Airfield, England, during WWII, protecting the convoys and keeping open the vital sea lanes from America to Great Britain.

Walter Antonik graduated from Belleville High School in 1942.

He entered the Navy in Jan. 29, 1943. He received his boot training at Sampson and his radar/gunner training at Memphis, Tenn., Jacksonville, Fla., Chincoteague, Va., and Boca Chica, Fla.

Antonik went overseas in October.

He is also survived by his brothers John C. Antonik and Bronislaw P. Antonik, both presently in service.


MishapsMISHAPs: 29 MAR 45 A/C: PB4Y-1J PB4Y-1 Location: Navy #804 Strike: Yes BUNO: 38811 Cause: Training flight & pilot qualification. During landing approach and at a point ninety to one-hundred yards short of the runway, the plane settled into a hedgerow. Immediately before striking the hedgerow the Instructor Lt. Rice applied power. The power plus the airspeed carried the plane through the hedgerow carrying away the port main gear which struck the port flap and port vertical stabilizer. The starboard gear plowed through the hedgerow intact and grounded twice before aircraft was fully airborne. Pilot made a slow one wheel landing successfully. "Strike" No injuries to crew: Instructor Lt Eugene J. Rice USNR, Lt(jg) Albert N. Schwab (qualifying pilot) USNR, Lt(jg) Raymond N. Gauitmet USNR, AMMF1c Francis X. Leighton USNR, ARM2c Anthony F. Forte USN, and AMMF3c Raymond G. Gardner USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [28NOV2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 10 SEP 43 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: St.Eval, UK BUNO: 63925 Cause: Pilot and crew were briefed by the fighter pilot prior to take-off. Arrangements were made to rendezvous at 4000-ft over Trevose Head, Cornwall, UK. The plane was filled to 1700 gallons of gasoline, weight 53,000lbs and CG 4.40 aft of datum. On completion of the rendezvous the fighter pilot commenced simulated attack runs.Brown commenced evasive action. The evasive action was of such a violent nature that tempory loss of control occurred at low altitude, and a full recovery could not be made. Plane crashed at sea and burned. Crew killed: Pilot Lt(jg) George W. Brown USN, Lt(jg) Jack Cromwell Siens A-V(N) USNR, Acrm Thomas Anthony Friend (fo) USN, Amm2c James Joseph Conlon (fo) USN, Amm2c Lester harry Whiting (fo) USNR, Amm3c Raymond John Keenen (fo) USNR, Aom3c Jesse Gilmer Smith (fo) USN, and Rm3c Carl Edmund Griese (fo) USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [22AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 26 FEB 44 "...My brother, LTjg John E. Goodrich, was shot down over the Bay of Biscay February 26, l944. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross but I never heard the circumstances. Is there any way I can find out what the circumstances were. He was with VPB-105. Is there any way of contacting anyone who might have known him? I would really appreciate any information you might send me. Thank you...Dean Goodrich dgood87347@aol.com..." [26FEB2000]


MishapsMISHAPs: 14 JAN 45 A/C: PB4Y-1 PB4Y-1 Location: Ferry - 2 miles north of Tazmint, French Mor Strike: Yes BUNO: 63944 Cause: SPALDING took off from Marrakech, French Morocco, on a ferry flight to Dakar, Senegal. No radio contact was made by plane after leaving vicinity of Marrakech Airport. At about 0900 GMT, Arab natives saw the plane break through the overcast at 2000-ft, in a shallow normal glide in vicinity of Tazmint, French Morocco. Witnesses reported the engines were not functioning properly. Shortly after becoming visible, the plane was seen to catch fire and explode, detaching pieces of the aircraft. It was seen to go out of control immediately following the explosion. Examination of the wreckage at the scene of the crash showed that the portion of the port wing outboard of the aileron became detached in the air, landing three-hundreds yards from the main body of the wreck. It was also found that the planes rudders and vertical tail surfaces became detached in the air, being found in an area approximately three-hundred yards from the main body of the wreck. Crew Killed: Pilot Lt Ralph David Spalding, Jr. USNR, Lt(jg) M. H. Thuna A-1 USNR, Ens M. J. Jones A-1 USNR, AOM2c J. T. Hagedore, ARM2c N. H. Lowrey, ARM1c F. W. Riffe, AOM3c R. W. Baker, AMMF3c F. A. Lutz, AMM2c M. D. Nerritt, ARM3c E. M. Lingar, and AOM(T)3c W. E. Burns. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [22NOV2001]


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