Alameda – Whidbey Island

On January 28, 1953 at 12:00 AM, Alameda – Whidbey Island experienced a crash involving Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, operated by United States Navy - USN, with the event recorded near Black Peak Washington.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.

10 people were known to be on board, 10 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In low visibility, the aircraft registered 59937 (VP-9) hit the slope of the Black Peak and disintegrated on impact. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was spotted and localized in July 1953. All 10 occupants have been killed and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The airplane was on its way from NAS Alameda to NAS Whidbey Island, carrying two Navy Officers and a crew of eight. Crew: Lt Leland R. Stegemerten, pilot, Lt David Jarvis, copilot, Adc C. C. Longacre, At1 T. W. Huffman, Ao3 J. A. Kerrigan, Ao3 J. L. McDonnell, Ad3 H. L. Ziemba, Adan T. J. Whited. Passengers: Cpt Julian David Greer, Lt O. C. Everhart.

Aircraft reference details include registration 59937, MSN 59937, year of manufacture 1943.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 48.5237°, -120.8152°.