Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 11 January 1942
Aircraft Type: Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina
Owner/operator: United States Navy
Registration Number: 2452
Location: Pearl Harbor NAS, HI –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Aircraft Hull and KeelAircraft Hull and Keel
Category: Accident
On January 11, 1942, a PBY-5 aircraft struck a coral reef near Palmyra Island, causing significant damage to its hull and keel. The aircraft returned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after dark under restricted darkness conditions. A Catalina aircraft reportedly snagged a wingtip float, which subsequently sank. Three crew members were killed during the incident.On January 11, 1942, a PBY-5 aircraft struck a coral reef near Palmyra Island, causing significant damage to its hull and keel. The aircraft returned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after dark under restricted darkness conditions. A Catalina aircraft reportedly snagged a wingtip float, which subsequently sank. Three crew members were killed during the incident.
Description
While being based at Palmyra Island, the PBY-5 struck a coral reef resulting in extensive damage to underside of hull and the keel. Temporary repairs were effected and on 11 January 1942 the aircraft took off to return to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It arrived there after dark. Blackout restrictions were enforced on the seadrome and landing lights were refused. A normal landing was made on glass surface in complete darkness in a restricted channel, but with a nose down attitude according to witnesses. The Catalina probably hooked a wingtip float, and was thrown violently on it back, in which position it was found by the crash-boat standby. It later sank. Three of the five crew were killed.
Primary Cause
Collision with a coral reef.Collision with a coral reef.Share on:
