Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 24 October 1944
Aircraft Type: Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Owner/operator: Royal Australian Air Force – RAAF
Registration Number: A24-100
Location: off Makassar –
ÿ Indonesia
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Starboard engine of the Consolidated Catalina flying boat A24-100Starboard engine of the Consolidated Catalina flying boat A24-100
A Consolidated Catalina flying boat A24-100, assigned to RAAF Squadron, successfully completed a mine laying operation off Makassar (Celebes) Harbour on 23 & 24 October 1944. During the operation, the starboard engine sustained damage from Japanese anti-aircraft fire, leading to the aircraft’s inability to return to base. The pilot made a forced landing in the open sea, requiring rescue by a second Catalina. Following the disabled aircraft’s sinking, a rescue Catalina recovered the pilot and crew.A Consolidated Catalina flying boat A24-100, assigned to RAAF Squadron, successfully completed a mine laying operation off Makassar (Celebes) Harbour on 23 & 24 October 1944. During the operation, the starboard engine sustained damage from Japanese anti-aircraft fire, leading to the aircraft’s inability to return to base. The pilot made a forced landing in the open sea, requiring rescue by a second Catalina. Following the disabled aircraft’s sinking, a rescue Catalina recovered the pilot and crew.
Description
The Consolidated Catalina flying boat A24-100 of 42 Squadron, RAAF, had completed a successful mine laying operation off Makassar (Celebes) Harbour on the night of 23 & 24 October 1944. The starboard engine of this aircraft was damaged by Japanese anti aircraft (AA) fire. Unable to maintain height on his return and with the second engine failing, the captain made a forced landing in the open sea south of the South Western Celebes Peninsula. He and his crew spent the next twelve hours on the water before a second Catalina arrived to rescue them. After the disabled Catalina had been sunk by machine gun fire, the rescue Catalina took off and returned safely to Darwin.
Source of Information
http://www.adf-serials.comhttp://www.adf-serials.comPrimary Cause
Japanese anti-aircraft fire to the starboard engine of the aircraft.Japanese anti-aircraft fire to the starboard engine of the aircraft.Share on:
