Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 14 January 1945
Aircraft Type: Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Owner/operator: Royal Australian Air Force – RAAF
Registration Number: A24-96
Location: off Sumba Island –
ÿ Indonesia
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Port enginePort engine
Category: Accident
A Catalina aircraft, during a mission to Surabaya, experienced a catastrophic loss of altitude and control due to a malfunctioning port engine. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude, jettisoned mines, and subsequently landed in the open sea, sustaining significant hull damage and leaks. The crew was rescued by another Catalina, and the aircraft was subsequently destroyed with machine-gun fire.A Catalina aircraft, during a mission to Surabaya, experienced a catastrophic loss of altitude and control due to a malfunctioning port engine. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude, jettisoned mines, and subsequently landed in the open sea, sustaining significant hull damage and leaks. The crew was rescued by another Catalina, and the aircraft was subsequently destroyed with machine-gun fire.
Description
During a mission to Surabaya the Catalina experienced trouble with its port engine and immediately began to lose altitude. It was flying at 300 feet below heavy cloud off Sumba Island. The crew jettisoned the mines, but the plane continued to lose altitude. A forced landing was made on the open sea. The hull was damaged and began to leak. The crew was rescued by another Catalina. The crew then destroyed the disabled Catalina aircraft with machine-gun fire.
Source of Information
http://www.adf-serials.comhttp://www.adf-serials.comPrimary Cause
Faulty port engine operation leading to loss of altitude and control.Faulty port engine operation leading to loss of altitude and control.Share on:
