Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Plane Sailing Air Displays

The aircraft had been booked for a static display and press 'photocall' at Southampton Airport, as part of the official launch of a project known as Seawings 2000. The aircraft operator had offered some short flights, free of charge, for the event organisers to use as they felt appropriate. Initial seat allocation was to the press, and members and officers of Southampton City Council. The remaining seats were offered to individuals representing organisations assisting the running of the project. The crew consisted of two pilots and two rear crew; one of the latter was designated 'crew chief'. There were two passenger compartments separated by a central compartment which had a door in the front bulkhead. Each passenger compartment was configured with eight seats, four either side of a central aisle. The front seats in each compartment were aft facing. The seats were typical airline type and had a standard lap belt restraint; a lifejacket was stowed under each seat. There was a bench type seat in each rear blister; however, these did not have restraint belts. On land, the aircraft is normally entered/vacated via ventral stairs, however, this access is not available when on water. There is a window type hatch between the seats on the left side of the front compartment. This is hinged at the top and opens upwards and outwards. To the rear and either side of the aft compartment there are two observation blisters which open upward in an 'eyelid' fashion. All three exits can be used for emergency egress. Emergency egress from the flight deck is through a removable hatch above the co-pilot's head.

The Catalina Company

The aircraft was transferred from Los Angeles to New Zealand via Hilo and Papeete, Tahiti. En route, while cruising at the altitude of 1,500 metres, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine and decided to divert to Christmas Island. The left engine eventually failed and as the crew as unable to maintain a safe altitude because the aircraft was heavy (load of fuel to cross the Pacific), he decided to ditch the aircraft about 150 km north of Christmas Island. The aircraft sank four hours later and was lost. All eight occupants were rescued by the crew of a merchant ship eight hours later.

Enrico Recchi

After landing on a wet runway, the seaplane suffered aquaplaning. The crew initiated a go-around but this was too late. The aircraft overran, struck a fence and came to rest in a farm courtyard, bursting into flames. All three passengers were injured while both pilots were killed.

Jonathan Seagull Holdings

The Catalina was one of two that arrived that morning in celebration of the first transatlantic flight by a Curtis NC-4 aircraft in 1917. The first landed without incident but the 2nd veered off course on landing and hit a temporary buoy before crashing into a heavy permanent navigational buoy that ripped off part of a wing and one of her floats. This caused the aircraft to cartwheel around out of control performing a spectacular 'surface loop'. Luckily she stayed afloat and the people on board were rescued by the occupants of some of the welcoming party's boats. One member of crew was taken to hospital with a gashed leg. The sinking aircraft was kept afloat and towed to the nearby former RAF flying boat base at Mount Batten where she remained in one of the old 'Sunderland' hangars under repair for several months. She eventually flew out of Plymouth Hoe on the return leg of the transatlantic flight towards the end of the year.

Can-Air Services

After being stores for almost a year, the seaplane was engaged in a local test flight in the region of Kahului. Upon landing on sea, it collided with reef and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aeroservicio Parragué - ASPAR

Engaged in a fire fighting mission, Tanker 34 was completing a scoop procedure in Lake Gutierrez when it struck an obstacle floating on water, maybe a tree trunk. The airplane came to rest and sak. A pilot was rescued while the second was killed.

Aries Aire

Water bomber aircraft landed on lake with dump doors partially open during landing phase of water pickup run. Mechanically operated dump door locks were applied before dump doors were closed. Pilot controlled dump doors from pilots control wheel, copilot operated door locks by separate control independent of the dump doors. Both pilots were killed.

Diversified Drilling Muds

During taxi to takeoff the brakes failed. The pilot attempted to ground loop the aircraft. The aircraft rolled down a hill and collided with a gully. The pilot was fatally injured. During preflight the copilot inadvertently added hydraulic fluid in the alcohol tank. The hydraulic pump cavitated. The pilot failed to use the hydraulic emergency hand pump or the a.c. Electric pump.

Confederate Air Force

Aerial photos were being taken of the mishap aircraft. Mission called for a simulated water landing (actual water landing prohibited) by flying as close as possible to water. Copilot at controls descended aircraft to about 6 feet, then gradually reduced clearance to 6-12 inches above water, airspeed 105 mph. Copilot inadvertently allowed aircraft to touch water. On touchdown, aircraft decelerated violently and broke up, ejecting several of the occupants and coming to rest inverted. Examination of aerial photos shows aircraft hull at touchdown was slightly nose down vice normal landing attitude; water contact made at location of nose landing gear doors. Photos show outward rupturing of forward hull structure, nose gear doors missing. Hull at rear of step showed two parallel, 3-feet long by 2-in wide, fore-to-aft and outboard-to-inboard penetrations. Floor of shallow lagoon known to have scattered debris from petroleum explorations; however, no positive determination of aircraft contact with submerged object could be made. Seven occupants were killed while three others were injured.

The Flying Fireman

The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in the region of Sioux Lookout and was completing a scooping maneuver on Lake Jackson when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Philippe Cousteau

The seaplane christened 'La Calypso volante' was returning to Lisbon following a scientific mission. Off Alverca, the seaplane landed hard on the Tagus, causing the left wing to separate and the left engine to struck the cockpit. The pilot Philippe Cousteau, son of the French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, was killed. Seven other occupants were injured.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Crashed in unknown circumstances while trying to land off Santo Antônio do Içá, Amazonas. All 12 occupants were killed.

Confederate Air Force

Following several technical modifications, among them the replacement of the right engine carburetor, the crew was in charge to conduct a post maintenance test flight. After takeoff, the right engine failed. The right propeller was not feathered and the aircraft stalled and crashed. Three crew members were killed while two others were injured.

Private American

En route from Las Vegas to El Paso, while in cruising altitude, both engines lost power. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames near Wikieup and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.

Lineas Aéreas Interiores de Catalina

While approaching Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport following a test flight, the crew encountered engine problems and attempted an emergency landing when the seaplane crashed few km from the airport. A crew member was killed while two others were injured.

James E. Stewart

Upon landing in the Mediterranean Sea off Monaco, the seaplane apparently suffered a structural failure, broke into several parts and sank. All five occupants (the owner, his wife, a friend and two pilots) were rescued.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

En route from Humaitá to Manaus, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area (jungle) located about 80 km northeast of Humaitá. A passenger and a crew member were killed while eight other occupants were injured.

Field Aviation

The Catalina departed Hay River with two pilots on a firefighting mission in the region of Pine Point. While flying at low height, circling around the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed in the same area, the Catalina collided with a Norcanair Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso registered CF-IDS. Two pilots were on board the Canso and were also engaged in a firefighting mission. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed and were destroyed, killing all four crew members.

Antilles Air Boats

While approaching the seaplane base of Christiansted, the crew suspected technical problems with the undercarriage and decided to divert to Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport. Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed and the seaplane came to rest. While both pilots were uninjured, the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Hemet Valley Flying Service

Following a firefighting mission, the crew was returning to Columbia Airport when, on final approach, the airplane was too low and struck a rocky wall located about 252 feet short of runway threshold. The airplane crashed and was destroyed. Both crew members were killed.

The Flying Fireman

The crew was engaged in a fire fighting mission in Jarvis Lake on behalf of the BC Forest Service. While flying at low height, the airplane struck trees and crashed. Both pilots Thomas Swanson and Tom Worley were killed.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

The seaplane was completing a flight from Forte Principe da Beira to Guajará-Mirim within Rondônia State on behalf of the Correio Nacional. While approaching Guajará-Mirim, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a jungle located 40 km from its intended destination. The wreckage was found two days later and 19 people were evacuated to local hospital while four others were killed in the accident.

Sécurité civile française

The crew was completing a local training flight at Marseille-Marignane with scoping manoeuvres under call sign 'Pélican Blanc'. Upon landing, the airplane nosed down, plunged into the sea and partially sank. A crew member was killed while three others were rescued. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

SATENA - Servicio de Aeronavegacion a Territorios Nacionales

Shortly after takeoff from runway 33 at La Pedrera Airport, while in initial climb, the seaplane stalled and crashed into the Rio Caquetá. A passenger was rescued while 12 other occupants were killed.

Cruzeiro do Sul

Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a local training mission. All four crew members were killed.

Rolled Steel Corp.

The crew was completing landing practices onto Lake Michigan. Upon landing off Highland Park, Illinois, the left pontoon struck an unknown floating object, causing a rupture of the fuselage. The airplane came to rest and sank rapidly. Both pilots were quickly rescued.

Aeropesca Colombia

En route, weather conditions deteriorated and the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an uninhabited area located in the region of Puerto Arturo. As the airplane failed to arrive at Mitú Airport, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found on November 13. Four wounded people were evacuated while both pilots were killed.

Liston Aircraft

The crew was engaged in a fire-fighting mission in the region of Klamath Falls. While flying at low height in strong wind conditions, one of the engine failed. The crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude nor the good track when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Both pilots were killed.

Royal Danish Air Force - Flyvevåbnet

The Catalina operated on a trip from Air Station Værløse via Keflavik, Reykjavik, Mestersvig, Station North, Thule, Sonderstrom and back to Værløse. The flyinbg boat departed Værløse, Denmark on 20 April 1964. On 3 May 1964, en route from Thule to Sonderstrom, the airplane suffered an no. 1 engine failure. Due to the Catalina’s single engine performance, the captain decided to make a precautionary landing when they discovered open water about 10 km south west from Upernavik. The crew was later rescued by a USAF SA-16 and brought to Sonderstrom. Two days later the Catalina was damaged beyond repair by the ice which had crushed the it.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Crashed into the Rio Guamá off Belém while performing a local training flight. A crew member was killed.

Royal Danish Air Force - Flyvevåbnet

While cruising in bad weather conditions on a flight from Narsarsuaq to Søndre Strømfjord, the seaplane struck the slope of a mountain and was destroyed upon impact. The wreckage was found few hours later in the region of Desolation Cape and all 13 occupants have been killed.

Trans Australia Airlines - TAA

Damaged on landing off Daru and sank. All 11 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was written off.

Private American

The aircraft was to be ferried from Walterboro to Charleston, South Carolina, after a period of non-use, except one flight, of about two years. Following takeoff and two circles in the vicinity of the airport, course was set for Charleston at an altitude of about 1,000 feet. Shortly thereafter the left engine followed by the right began to surge and lose power. In the attempt to reach an open field beyond trees the aircraft stalled and crashed. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Source: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19610814-1

Nordair

While preparing to land on Knob Lake at Schefferville, the seaplane landed hard, struck the water surface, came to rest upside down and sank. All three crew members were killed.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

The crew left Quintero Airport for a training mission in the region of Valparaiso. In unclear circumstances, the seaplane crashed into the Lake Peñuelas located about 12 km southeast of Valparaiso. All six crew members were killed.

Agencia Interamericana de Aviación - AIDA Colombia

Crashed in the jungle while en route from Araracuara to Villavicencio. Two crew members and four passengers were killed and seven other occupants were rescued.

California Aircraft Company

En route from Juneau to Annette Island, the crew reported engine problems. The seaplane later crashed in an isolated area located in the region of Ketchikan. All three occupants were killed.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the jungle near Curralinho, Pará. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 23 occupants were killed, among them four crew members. Crew: Maj Paulo Ribeiro, Cpt Rubens Rozsa, Qav Florival Nery de Souza, Qmr Aguinaldo Martins Favacho.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

Crashed while performing a training mission, killing one of the four crew members on board.

Réseau Aérien Interinsulaire - RAI

The approach to Raiatea lagoon was performed in good weather conditions with a grey ceiling (altostratus) and several fractocumulus at 400 meters, good visibility. No wind and no waves on the sea gaves a very calm lagoon. While completing a last turn to the right to align to the landing area (seaplane base), the right wing tip struck the water surface. The airplane cartwheeled and crashed into the sea about 1,400 meters short of landing point. Eleven passengers were injured while 15 other occupants, among them all three crew members, were killed. The airplane sank by a depth of 36 meters ten minutes later.

Eastern Provincial Airways - EPA

The ‘flying boat’ started her return trip after delivering fuel on Oct. 1, 1957 to an isolated communications site at Sona Lake. Her three-man crew had been watching dusk overtake the vast Labrador wilderness when, suddenly, about 80 kilometers from her destination, both engines began losing power. The port engine rapidly gave out. Distress calls were sent. The pilots desperately tried to nurse his other still serviceable – but fading – engine long enough to reach a large lake he had seen below. The power plant failed, however, and a landing in the trees became inevitable. The big amphibian mushed through treetops, bounced off a marsh, then struggled briefly back into the air until her starboard wing struck a small copse of pines. The aircraft slewed around in a violent about-face the left the shaken but unhurt crew sighting along the path from which they’d come. The crew was reached the following day by a rescue float plane and soon the investigation team arrived to assess the Canso. Her leading edge was chopped by the trees, her hull was wrinkled and her props were bent. The last ground loop had bent her port wing tip and cracked her spar. The aircraft was written off. Her cockpit was stripped and she was left to the wilderness. For almost three decades she lay in the bush – her paint work fading and her huge fabric surfaces slowly deteriorating. Source & photo: https://atlanticcanadaaviationmuseum.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/the-story-of-our-pby-5a-canso/

TAM Paraguay - Transporte Aéreo Militar

Crashed into the Río Paraguay in Asunción while making a demonstration flight. Two crewmen were killed while three others were rescued.

World Wide Air Services

Struck a submerged obstacle while landing on Kikori River. The aircraft quickly sank and was lost. Both crew members were rescued.

Mexican Navy - Armada de México

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the ocean off Chamela. A crew member was killed while seven others were rescued. The aircraft was lost.

Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana

Struck a mountain near Natagaima, Tolima, while on a flight from Bogotá to Tres Esquinas. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted. The wreckage was found eleven days later, on March 24. All 12 occupants were killed.

Agencia Interamericana de Aviación - AIDA Colombia

The aircraft departed Santa Cecilia Airport, Bogotá at 0647LT bound for Medellín and Quibdó, carrying a crew of 5 and 11 passengers. Take-off was made at a time when the airport was closed due to poor visibility. While flying on instruments a few moments after take-off, the starboard engine failed. The aircraft continued its flight over the Sabana de Bogotá for approximately 23 minutes, following which, while flying on a magnetic heading of approximately 280 degrees, it crashed violently (at approximately 0705LT) against the Quetame Hill located near Cáqueza, about 30 km southeast of Bogotá, at an elevation of 9,170 feet. The flight engineer and one passenger were injured while 14 other occupants were killed.

TICAL

On approach to Marabá, both engines failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the seaplane crashed into the Río Tocantins. A crewman was killed while four other occupants were killed.

Panair do Brasil

While landing on the Amazone River off Parintins, the seaplane hit a submerged object, came to a halt and partially sank. Nine occupants were rescued while three others were killed, among them the pilot Luís Anet and the radio operator.

Spartan Air Services

The crew was completing a flight from Montreal to Karachi, the aircraft being delivered to the Pakistan government. While approaching the Scottish coast, both engines failed. The captain attempted to ditch the aircraft off Kyleake. On touchdown, the seaplane lost its floats, drifted away and eventually sank. Five crew members were rescued while the navigator was killed.

Agencia Interamericana de Aviación - AIDA Colombia

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bogotá to La Pedrera with intermediate stop at Apiay AFB in Villavicencio and Mitú, carrying four passagers, four crew members, mail and various goods. While trying to land on the Río Caqueta near La Pedrera, the seaplane crashed into the river. All four passengers and a crew member were killed while three other occupants were killed.