VPNAVY VP-9 Mishap - Soviet Shot Down 22JUN55 - No Loss Of Life
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MishapVP-53 MishapMishap

1940's

MishapsMISHAPs: 17 AUG 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Nas Key West, Fl Strike: no BUNO: 04482 Cause: Plane returned to base as pilots decided to discontinue patrol because radio equipment had failed in flight. Pilot executed a normal approach. Shortly after contact he advertently allowed nose to raise slightly and the plane skidded. Pilot attempted a full stall recovery. the next contact was a violent impact which crushed the starboard bottom of #4 compartment and buckled all strength members in that area. Plane rapidly filled with water and settled to the bottom. Damage: Bottom dished in. Chine step in adjacent area fractured and hull skin torn vertically. Belt frames torn away from fastening and badly sheared. keel extrusion sprung out of line. Crew: Pilot: LT G. Smale, Usn/Ok, Lt(jg) W. T. Sisson/Ok, Ens B. A. Stoller/Ok, Ens S. C. Beal (badly sprained ankle), AP2c R. Nickell (fractured ankle), AMM1c E. H. Scission/Ok, AMM3c E. Quail/Ok, ARM2c J. R. Blazek/Ok, Sea1c R. Grove/Ok, Sea1c H. McWhorter/Ok, AOM2c C. B. Penrose/Ok, and Sea1c F. Aprile/Ok. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [01DEC2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 21 OCT 42 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: NAAF/NAF Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies Strike: No BUNO: 2402 Cause: Plane was making touch and go landings. Plane was landed in a left skid; as the hull started to settle in the water a violent water-loop to the left was started which dug port wing tip into the water, buckling, but not quite carrying away the float panel; completely buckling on the port aileron. Throttles were opened and turn to left stopped. However, pilot over controlled and a right water-looped resulted. Repairable: Both outer wing panels completely damaged. Both float assemblies completely damaged. Chine section, hull, right hand from station #3 to step completely damaged. Crew Ok. Pilot AP1c John M. Cleary, USN, Ens W. C. Harris, Ens A. B. Dennis, AP2c H. B. Heard, ARM2c M. W. Benningfield, AMM3c G. E. Allen, and AMM3c M. L. Schaeffer. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [03DEC2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 02 JAN 43 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: AK Strike: Yes BUNO: O4482 Cause: SANK Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [17MAR98]

UPDATE "...After one hour and fifteen minutes of flight during a five hour engine run-in on the morning of 2 Jan 43 the starboard engine on subject plane lost power. This was indicated by decrease in RPM and loss of fuel pressure, followed by a drop in oil pressure. The flight engineer was unable to maintain fuel pressure by use wof wobble pump and crew feathered starboard engine propeller and stopped engine. Fuel supply was shut off during time propeller was feathering. Indications show that fuel pump line gave way before entering fuel pump or after leaving pump. In either case the action of wobble pump forced gas into accessory section. This gas undoubtly came in contact with exhaust collector ring and caused fire. Since this plane had airplane change #70 incorporated during engine change; crew was unable to make an attempt to put fire out. From C.O statement: After oil pressure had dropped and engines RPMs and manifold pressure fell off, the pilot immediately feathered the starboard engine. At this point co-pilot noticed the starboard engine was on fire. This fire spread rapidly and burned off all fabric on the starboard wing as well as the fabric on the rudder and elevators, thereby preventing successful single engine operation. With full power on the port engine the rate of decent could not be reduced below 500-ft per minute. The pilot continued to maintain control but at abut 150-ft the starboard engine fell off the wing. Floats were lowered and a landing at sea was made. All personnel aboard escaped in rubber boats and were picked up by a US Coast Guard Cutter shortly thereafter. After the plane was abandoned it continued to burn and later sank. "Stricken" Trouble Board stated: "It is believed by this board that had this suplane change #70 NOT been incorporated the plane could have been saved" Crew OK. Pilot. AP1c.William E. Edwards, AP1c. Granville C. Crumpler (slight finger cut), Ens Harry W. Wolfarth, Amm1c. Joseph O. McCadden, Amm2c. William L. Barnes, Amm2c. Michael Haloostock, Rm3c. William Moore, Rm3c. Carl D. Buchanon V-3, and ?? William A. Cooper V-6 (slight cut on forehead)..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [09JUL2001]

UPDATE "...Eng run-in & test flt;Fire in eng, force landed at sea & sank; 67N 175W ..1/minor inj, 8/ok..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [22DEC2000]


MishapsMISHAPs: 07 MAR 43 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: NAS Trinidad, British West Indies BWI Night coverage Strike: No BUNO: 04484 Cause: Plane returned to base a per order received to discontinue patrol. Upon arrival over the landing area, it was noted that there were only two seadrome lights lighted instead of the normal string of five, which marked the landing area. After several unsuccessfully attempts to land plane in vicinity of the two landing lights. The pilot commenced another approach. on this approach, which appeared to be normal, the plane struck runway water and skipped. Pilot attempted to recover in a power stall landing. During this recovery, the starboard wing dropped, plane bounced, digging in the starboard float, resulting in a water-loop. Damage: Major overhaul recommended. Crew Ok. Pilot Lt(jg) J. A. Pierce, USNR, Lt(jg) B. A. Stoller, Lt(jg) L. B. Seale, Ens J. B. Calhoun, CAP C. W. Girard (lacerations, head & hands), AMM1c C. P. Myers, AMM3c T. E. Yancay, ARM3c R. T. Grove, ARM3c A. W. Taylor, and AMM3c J. Loney. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [05DEC2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 28 JUN 43 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: NAS Trinidad, British West Indies BWI Night coverage Strike: Yes BUNO: 2405 Cause: Pilot elected to take-off into swells rather than wind, and to let the co-pilot make the take-off. The co-pilot made the take-off from the left hand seat. The pilot had made approximately 20 full load take-off's previously and the co-pilot one. As the plane approached flying speed, the pilot motioned to the co-pilot to raise the nose slightly, as the co-pilot responded to the signal, the plane was thrown into the air by a swell and commenced a series of bounces which increased in height and force of impact. Crew members reported hearing a sharp report on one of the theses bounces which may well have been caused by striking floating debris which would have initiated opening the bottom. In the course of the bounces, the co-pilot nosed over, and the pilot, in his anxiety to bring the nose up, released the throttles in order to grasp the yoke. The throttles immediately slipped back causing the plane to lose power at this critical point. before throttle could be applied the plane landed heavily and slowed abruptly. It is believed the the greatest damage occurred at this point and the the devision of effort between the pilot and co-pilot was a major factor in the accident. Damage:Bell frames, keel, stringers, former ribs, starboard side between bulkhead 5 and 6 damaged beyond repair. Skin wrinkled on both sides of hull aft wing strut to blister. Stringer bent and rivets out of bottom station 3 to 7. Recommend striking. Crew OK. Pilot. Lt(jg). Stoughton Atwood, Lt(jg). G. B. Squires (Co-Pilot), Lt(jg). H. V. Gausman, Ens. R. Jacobs, Amm2c. J. E. Hinton, Amm2c. H. E. Vaughan, Amm3c. E. M. Crorup, Amm3c. E. L. Shurte, Amm3c. T. J. Bailey, Aom3c. L. R. Chruch, Rm1c. J. R. Blazek, and Rm3c. J. H. Hanks. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [20JUL2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 06 NOV 43 A/C: PBY-5 pby Location: Overdue on a flight from NAS San Diego, California to MCAS/NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii Strike: Yes BUNO: 34035 Cause: This flight left San Diego in company with LT(jg) Wunderlish who was flying another PBY-5A. At a position about 700mi out of Kaneohe, LT(jg) Edwardson's plane was obscured by clouds. No further radio contact was made despite repeated efforts on the part of Wunderlish and the base. About thirty to forty minutes later Wunderlish had lost visual contact, he noticed a reflected glow on the cloud's behind him that was the only clue which may have been bearing upon the disappearance. Extensive searches were organized and conducted, all were negative. "Lost at sea" Crew missing. Pilot: LT(jg) Stanley P. Edwardson, LT(jg) William A. Reed, ENSIGN Roger D. Berkley, AMM1 G. A. W. Findley, AMM3 R. T. Cavalier, RM3 V. V. Costawile, RM1 R. C. Brooks, SA M. J. Lagree and RM3 R. H. Hudson. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [31JUL2001]

UPDATE "...Speaking of the VP-53 Mishap (November 6th, 1943) - my Father, Pelham Jackson McMichael, was on that flight, when an officer asked my Father if he minded letting a Yeoman go in his place so he could pay the guys already out in the islands. My dad threw out his seabag, jumped out and the young yeoman climbed aboard. The beach crew put the A/C back into the water and it took off. As you all know the aircraft blew up about 600 miles out from Hawaii, killing everyone aboard. My father passed away April 16, 2011, but his spirit lives on in the lives of his children, without the sacrifice of that young yeoman, would have never been possible. God bless him, his family and the entire crew..." Contributed by Margaret McMichael Langley largeangel@yahoo.com [04NOV2012]


MishapsMISHAPs: 19 DEC 43 A/C: PBY-5A pby Location: Rescue mission at sea Strike: Yes BUNO: 0501 Cause: While attempting to rescue an Army pilot, aircraft was severely damaged by rough seas. When plane became flooded, crew abandoned it. Plane:Total loss Crew OK. Pilot Lt(jg).Charles B. Bremer A-V(N) USNR, Ens.L. J. Kennedy USNR, Ens.J. A. Monachan USNR/Minor inj, Amm2c.C. A. Martin, Rm3c.T. S. Bost, Amm2c.N. E. Ekker, Amm3c.V. J. Cospito/Minor inj, Rm1c.G. E. Rivest, and Aom3c.A. G. Richard. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [03AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 24 MAR 44 A/C: PBY-5A pby Location: Majuro Strike: Yes BUNO: 48341 Cause: Not in flight, collision with another aircraft. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [06AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 09 JUN 44 A/C: PBY-5A pby Location: Near Maloepai Strike: Yes BUNO: 48339 Cause: Unccessfull take-off at sea;Crew & pass rescued and plane sunk by gunfire. Crew OK. Pilot Lt Bill T. Davenport USNR, Lt(jg) William D. Hughes USNR, Ens Fred C. Wienmolz USNR, Acmm Harry N. Porter USN, Rm1c Oliver C. Cope USNR, Rm2c Harlan Holldorf USNR, Amm2c Roy E. Wadsworth USN, and Aom1c Herbert R. Brown USNR. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [09AUG2001]

UPDATE "...Dad's flight log shows that after the plane was lost, they were picked up by the Destroyer Frazier DD-607...Gregory R. Cope copefamily@mindspring.com [11AUG2001]

UPDATE "...My Dad was Oliver C. Cope, his name is misspelled as Cape. My Dad didn't talk too much about his service in the Navy, and it was good to see his name on this page, (even if it was in relation to a mishap). Dad died in 1979, and we still have his flight log book for most of the war. I do remember seeing an entry regarding losing an aircraft while picking up a pilot, but now I need to dig it out and read it again. Thanks for keeping this stuff alive...Gregory R. Cope copefamily@mindspring.com [10AUG2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 05 JAN 45 A/C: PBY-5A pby Location: NAS Whidbey Island, Washington Strike: Yes BUNO: 46585 Cause: Training and night familiarization flight. The wind was ten to twelve knots from east-south-east. The local custom of landing, was on course (285T) regardless of direction of wind has been placed in affect due to the lack of lights no at the Seadrome to use as a reference points for night landings, plus hazard created by trees and hills surrounding the area restricting the landing area available. The time of the accident the landing course was 285T. Low cloud was observed in the landing path obscuring the reference lights temporarily during Lt. HUGHES approach, however, the visibility below it was reported and sufficient to permit contact landing. He misjudged his course by thirty to thirty-five degrees to the right. In this direction the pilot was paralleling the shoreline which consisted of a very steep embankment on which several trees were located. Pilot continued on this course which carried his right wing tip into the side of a cliff at an altitude of about fifty to seventy-five feet above sea level. At this point he applied full throttle which catapulted plane to the right and upward shearing off the starboard wing at the engine nacelle. The left wing then collided with a tree and power-line pole causing a violent one-eighty degree spin to left breaking forward section of the fuselage, the balance coming to rest in an upright position on the side of the cliff and debris scattered over an area of approximately four-hundred yards. Crew: Pilot Lt(jg) William D. Hughes A-1 USNR/Seriously inj, Ens L. E. Iuraelsen/Seriously inj, Ens R. R. Adams/Minor inj, Amm1c E. Ejort/Minor inj, Amm1c C. C. Cope/Seriously inj, Amm2c R. R. Padelford/Minor inj, Amm3c R. R. Myers/Minor inj, Aom3c R. E. Palmer/Killed, and Aom3c K. E. Krichbaum/Minor inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [14AUG2001]

UPDATE "...The name C. C. Cope should really be O. C. Cope. I think the year should be '45 not '44 (I don't know the month or day, but January should be about right according to Mom). My parents were married in July 1944 after the crew returned to the States (and about a month after the problem at . From August on was spent training (from what I can figure from his logbook). It was in this time period that the crash occurred. Dad spent some time in a hospital after the crash with cracked ribs, minor head injuries, and a broken collar bone. He spent the remainder of the war instructing at Whidbey Island..." Contributed by Gregory R. Cope copefamily@mindspring.com [17NOV2001]


MishapsMISHAPs: 10 AUG 45 A/C: PBY-6A pby Location: HI Strike: Yes BUNO: 64012 Cause: Unknown Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [17MAR98]

UPDATE "...Anti-sub patrol;Loss of engine,force-laned at sea and sunk by gunfire;20-30N 127-15E..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [22DEC2000]


MishapsMISHAPs: 13 APR 46 A/C: PBY-6A pby Location: NAS Peleliu Strike: Yes BUNO: 64003 Cause: Medical evacuation. North coast, of Morotai. Hard landing in open seas, sea appeared calm and smooth grand swells appeared very small from the air, but were actually 6-9-ft high.Wind and swells moving same direction, wind force 10-12-kts. The area was dragged four times before landing was attempted. All hands were wearing life jackets and were braced for a rough water landing. One man received a broken leg by standing as plane landed very hard, while trying to calm an excited native who as aboard. DBR Plane: Damage to hull, bombers window caved in stress wrinkles in hull, rivets knocked out, port aileron badly bent. Hull split about three inches near bombers window. Port wing wrinkled. Crew & passengers. Pilot Lt(jg) Worthern Walls (A1) USNR VPB-53/Ok, Ens Thomas E. Tunney (co-pilot) USN/Ok, ARM2c Charles H. Sturges USN/Ok, ARM3c Robert L. Vaughn USNR/Ok, AOM2c Raymond E. Hollstein USN/Minor inj, and AMM1c Francis T. Frost USN/Ok. Passengers: Lt Clarence M. Clarp USNR/Ok, 2nd Lt Joseph L. Pisano USMCR/Seriously inj, Lt Corrigan USNR/Ok, One dead native(died before flight), One live native, UA1c Raymond L. Sampson USNR/Ok, and Ens Walter Yonchenkol/Ok. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25FEB2002]


MishapsMISHAPs: 16 SEP 46 A/C: PBY-6A pby Location: WA, SEATTLE NAS SAND PT NR GRANIT FALLS, WA Strike: Yes BUNO: 63999 Cause: Squadron movement Granite Falls, Wa. This plane was cleared IFR from Nas Seattle to Nas Whidbey Isl, Wa about 1040 16 Sep 46. Terminal weather at Whidbey was contact. After Take-off the plane was not heard from again. The crash site was discovered on 18 Sep 1946, in a remote area near Granite Falls, Wa; all aboard were killed and the plane and the engines were completely demolished. From observations at the scene of the crash, it appeared that the wing of fuselage, hit a tall tree and cart-wheeled upon striking the ground. A piece of the plane was embedded in a tree and the engines were buried approximately 50-yds down-slope from the trees. The rest of the plane scattered still farther down-slope for a distance of 150-yds. "Strike" Crew & pass killed: Lt Conrad V. Gonska USNR VP-53, Lt John J. Dougherty USNR, Ens Paul Bertke A-V(N) USNR, AMM2c Walter G. Holm USNR, RMAC3c Robert L. Vaugn USNR, AOM3c Jack R. Clifford USN, ACRM Columbus N. Wooley USN, and ACRM Edwin J. Olsen USN. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [Updated 26FEB2002 | Updated 22DEC2000 | 17MAR98]


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