Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 6 January 1944
Aircraft Type: Short Sunderland III
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: JM709
Location: Bay of Biscay –
ÿ Atlantic Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: Short Sunderland flying boatShort Sunderland flying boat
Category: Accident
A Short Sunderland flying boat, JM709, of 228 Sqn RAF, executed an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay on January 6, 1944, but failed to return to base without receiving any communication. Investigation suggests the aircraft and crew were lost at sea.A Short Sunderland flying boat, JM709, of 228 Sqn RAF, executed an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay on January 6, 1944, but failed to return to base without receiving any communication. Investigation suggests the aircraft and crew were lost at sea.
Description
Short Sunderland flying boat JM709 of 228 Sqn RAF took off from RAF Station, Pembroke Dock at 05:37 on 6 January 1944, to carry out an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay. There was no messages received from the aircraft after takeoff, and it failed to return to base. It was assumed that the aircraft and crew were lost at sea.
Source of Information
http://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z019_1.pdfhttp://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z019_1.pdfPrimary Cause
Loss of communication and navigation due to equipment failure or malfunction.Loss of communication and navigation due to equipment failure or malfunction.Share on:
