Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 1 February 1944
Aircraft Type: Consolidated Catalina
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: AJ160
Location: 2,6 km W off Kelai Island –
ÿ Maldives
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
Component Affected: Aircraft EngineAircraft Engine
Category: Accident
A commercial aircraft, flying to search for survivors of the SS Port Buckingham, crashed on takeoff due to a sudden and severe mechanical failure. All ten occupants perished in the crash, resulting in a fatality event.A commercial aircraft, flying to search for survivors of the SS Port Buckingham, crashed on takeoff due to a sudden and severe mechanical failure. All ten occupants perished in the crash, resulting in a fatality event.
Description
The plane, destined to search for survivors of the sunken vessel SS Port Buckingham, crashed on takeoff. All ten occupants died in the crash. The aircraft came to rest in 50 feet of water.
Source of Information
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?12783-W-H-Westby-amp-Catalina-AU160, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56221241http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?12783-W-H-Westby-amp-Catalina-AU160, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56221241Primary Cause
Mechanical failure ? specifically, a catastrophic engine failure during takeoff.Mechanical failure ? specifically, a catastrophic engine failure during takeoff.Share on:
