Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 9 December 1943
Aircraft Type: Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
Owner/operator: Marine Luchtvaart Dienst – MLD
Registration Number: Y-78
Location: 10 km E off Elephant Point, Bay of Bengal –
ÿ Sri Lanka
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: Aircraft EngineAircraft Engine
Category: Accident
A Catalina aircraft, en route from RAF Sigiriya to an eighteen-hour patrol mission over sea, experienced an engine failure, resulting in a night landing and subsequent sinking within an hour. The wreckage was discovered by local fishermen in 2014.A Catalina aircraft, en route from RAF Sigiriya to an eighteen-hour patrol mission over sea, experienced an engine failure, resulting in a night landing and subsequent sinking within an hour. The wreckage was discovered by local fishermen in 2014.
Description
The Catalina departed RAF Sigiriya for an eighteen-hour patrol mission over sea. Engine failure forced the crew to carry out a night landing at sea. The flying boat sank within an hour. The wreckage was found by local fishermen in 2014 and parts of the aircraft were recovered.
Source of Information
http://www.vanderijke.nl/320%20Vereniging/NB%20320%202006%20nr.%203.pdf, http://www.divesrilanka.com/Kalkudah%20Consolidated%20Catalina%20PBY-5A%20Dutch%20Squadron%20321%20Y-78.html, https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2015/03/02-laatste-rustplaats-catalina-ontdekthttp://www.vanderijke.nl/320%20Vereniging/NB%20320%202006%20nr.%203.pdf, http://www.divesrilanka.com/Kalkudah%20Consolidated%20Catalina%20PBY-5A%20Dutch%20Squadron%20321%20Y-78.html, https://magazines.defensie.nl/allehens/2015/03/02-laatste-rustplaats-catalina-ontdektPrimary Cause
Engine failureEngine failureShare on:
