Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 21 May 1944
Aircraft Type: Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Owner/operator: Royal Australian Air Force – RAAF
Registration Number: A24-73
Location: Java Sea –
ÿ Indian Ocean
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Aircraft missing, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
Component Affected: Aircraft tanksAircraft tanks
Category: Accident
A crewed aircraft was dispatched to the Java Sea near Surabaya to investigate a signal indicating a catastrophic damage to both tanks and a planned escape attempt. Despite extensive searches, no sightings of the aircraft or crew were observed.A crewed aircraft was dispatched to the Java Sea near Surabaya to investigate a signal indicating a catastrophic damage to both tanks and a planned escape attempt. Despite extensive searches, no sightings of the aircraft or crew were observed.
Description
The crew were on a sea mining mission in the Java Sea near Surabaya and a signal was received that the aircraft had been badly holed in both tanks and an attempt was to be made to get to a prearranged escape point. Although searches were carried out there were no sightings of the crew or plane.
Source of Information
http://www.adf-serials.comhttp://www.adf-serials.comPrimary Cause
Severe tank damage and a planned escape attempt.Severe tank damage and a planned escape attempt.Share on:
