Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

Hellenic Air Force - Elleniki Polemiki Aeroporia

The crew was completing a post maintenance test flight at Elefsis AFB. On approach, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all three occupants.

Indonesian Navy - TNI-AL Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut

Crashed in unknown circumstances the Makassar Harbor. Five crew members were killed and three others were injured.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

The seaplane departed Florianópolis at 0730LT on a rescue and assistance mission to the crew of another aircraft who was in difficulties over the Santa Catarina Island. About an hour later, while returning to its base, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed in flames in Costeira do Pirajubaé, about 5 km north of Florianópolis Airport. The captain was seriously injured while five other crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Alcione Eliodoro Viana, Lt Roberto Bernardino Navarro, Lt Jean Clovis Fagundes Jucenwiski, 2nd Lt Benedito Antonio Gualdetti, Sgt Jose Carlos dos Santos Pinto, Sgt Gilberto Ombruschi.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

En route from Carolina to Florianópolis, while cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the right engine failed due to a major oil leak. The crew of two, the only occupant, shut down the right engine and feathered its propeller. Despite full power was added on the left engine, the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude and was forced to jettison some of the cargo and auxiliary tanks as well. Finally, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field but on short final, the left engine lost power. This caused the undercarriage to be lowered too late and upon touchdown, they were not locked down. The aircraft crash landed and skidded on its belly before coming to rest. While both pilots were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance flight after a small plane was missing in the region of Roraima. Shortly after takeoff from Ponta Pelada AFB, while in initial climb, the airplane suffered technical problems, stalled and crashed 1,500 meters past the runway end. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Chilean Navy

The crew was returning to Antofagasta Airport following a maritime patrol exercice. While descending at dusk, the seaplane struck the slope of Mt Moreno located about 12 km west of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all six occupants were killed. Crew: Lt Patricio de Andraca, pilot, Lt Patricio Yánez, copilot, Lt Raúl Castillo, navigator, Osvaldo Alvarado, flight engineer, Hernán González, radio operator, Cpt José Gallardo, mechanic.

Mexican Navy - Armada de México

Shortly after a night takeoff from Puerto Cortés NAS, while climbing, the seaplane aircraft lost height and crashed into the sea. Five crew members were rescued while three others were killed.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Mediterranean sea off Cabo de Palos. All eight crew members were killed.

Indonesian Navy - TNI-AL Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut

While cruising in bad weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and was destroyed. All 10 crew members were killed.

Chilean Navy

En route, a technical problem occurred on the fuel supply system, causing a loss of engine power. The captain elected to fly over the mountains surrounding Quilpué on one engine but the seaplane struck a hill and crashed. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

This crew was dropping parachute flares to illuminate a search area when one of the flares accidentally ignited in the aircraft. Intense smoke incapacitated the pilots and crew and the aircraft became uncontrolled and crashed into the sea. All six crew members were killed. LCDR Francis W. Miller, LTJG Jerald M. Mack, AD1 Harold D. Brown Jr., AM2 Benjamin R. Gaskins Jr., AT2 John F. Harrison, AT2 John P. Pledger.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

The seaplane departed Las Palmas-Gando Airport at 0655LT bound for Jerez de la Frontera. Few minutes later, the crew informed ATC about an engine failure and was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a rocky field and was damaged beyond repair. A crew member was slightly injured.

Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare Italiana

The crew departed Lake of Bracciano for a local training flight. En route, an engine failed. Speed was lost and the airplane stalled and crashed into the lake, few dozen yards offshore. A crew member, Cpt Angelo Natale, was killed, while two other occupants were injured.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

While on a flight from Palma de Mallorca, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The seaplane crashed in a mountainous terrain located six km from Bragança, Portugal. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed upon landing at Ramey AFB for unknown reason. No casualties.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

While completing a maritime patrol flight over the Alborán Sea, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances near the Alborán Island. All seven crew members perished.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

While descending to Cartagena, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 2,5 km offshore. A crew member was rescued while seven others were killed.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

The crew was searching for an overdue vessel along the California coastline in marginal weather. While cruising in limited visibility due to fog, the seaplane struck a mountain slope and crashed north of San Luis Obispo. Three crew members were killed while five others were rescued. Those killed were: LTJG Francis J. Charles, AD3 William E. Prowitt, AD3 John G. Medek.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

The crew was completing a flight from the State of Montana to Juneau, Alaska. En route, he was requested to take part to a SAR mission after a small plane carrying two people was missing. In the region of the Sloko Lake, the seaplane struck a mountain and crashed. Three crew members were killed and three others were rescued. Those killed were: Lt Robert D. Brown, Lt David J. Bain, AT2 Robert W. Striff Jr.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

On a Sunday night search and rescue case the aircraft and crew responded to a request for assistance from a fishing vessel reportedly taking on water 20 miles off the coast. The same plane and crew had just returned from another search of over six hours. The entire crew perished when their seaplane struck the water while attempting to deliver a dewatering pump to a sinking vessel. No trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members was found. Crew: Lt Clifford E. Hanna, Lt Jg Charles F. Shaw, AD1 Ralph H. Studstill, AT1 Eckley M. Powlus Jr., AT2 James B. Thompson, AE3 Arthur L. Wilson Jr.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

This HU-16E crew was performing a scheduled logistics/law enforcement mission to the Loran Station on St. Paul Island. When then arrived they encountered poor weather with a ceiling below 400-feet with light snow falling. With insufficient fuel available to reach an alternate airfield, the pilot attempted to land at the strip. On the fourth attempt to land, the plane crashed when the right wing tip struck the ground. AT2 Frank R. Edmunds was fatally injured as a result. Source: http://www.check-six.com/lib/Coast_Guard_Aviation_Casualties.htm

United States Air Force - USAF

The aircraft took off from Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng in poor weather for a patrol over the Gulf of Tonkin. Using the call signe Crown Bravo, a name that was assigned to the afternoon patrol of each day, the aircraft encountered worsening weather and failed to make a routine radio report. As soon as the weather cleared enough a second Albatross left Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng on a SAR mission. No trace of the aircraft or its crew was ever found. The last known position was about 64 km off Ð<U+1ED3>ng H<U+1EDB>i. Crew: Maj Ralph Harold Angstadt, 1st Lt John Henry Sotheron Long, Maj Inzar William Rackley, T/Sgt Robert Laverne Hill, S/Sgt Lawrence Clark, S/Sgt John Reginald Shoneck, A2C Steven Harold Adams. Source: Chris Hobson.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

The crew departed Comox Airbase on a training flight to Williams Lake. While cruising in limited visibility due to foggy conditions, the seaplane struck the slope of a mountain located about 10 miles east of Hope Slide. The aircraft was destroyed and while the f/o Bob Reid survived, all five other occupants were killed. More info on https://www.notaries.bc.ca/resources/scrivener/fall2004/walkdownthemountains-50.pdf 1st Lt Pete Semak, † 1st Lt Phil Montgomery, † F/O Chris Cormier, † F/O Bob Reid, Lac Bob MacNaughton. † Passenger: James Braiden. †

United States Air Force - USAF

The HU-16B Albatross flying boat was deployed to rescue two crew members of a downed McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom off Haiphong in the Gulf of Tonkin. The Albatross landed in the sea close to the shoreline. It was quickly approached by several North Vietnamese boats. They began to open fire on the Albatross, finally firing a mortar shell. They flying boat burst into flames. The survivors were later rescued by Navy helicopters. Crew: Cpt David P. Westenbarger, Lt Walter Hall, Cpt Donald Price, S/Sgt Clyde Jackson, A1C Robert Larie Hilton, † A1C James Edward Pleiman. † Source: Chris Hobson & Joe Baugher.

Republic of China Air Force

While taking part to a rescue mission over the East China Sea, the seaplane was shot down by the pilot of a China Air Force fighter. The crew fate remains unknown.

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the South China Sea, about 200 km off the Vietnam coast. The crew fate remains unknown.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was engaged in a SAR mission following the collision of two USAF B-52's. Enroute, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the South China Sea, about 200 km off the Vietnam coast. While the airplane was lost, all five crew members were rescued by the crew of a Norwegian ship.

Royal Thai Navy - Kong Thap Ruea Thai

Shortly after takeoff from Taipei Airport, bound for Bangkok, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off shore. Few debris were found floating on water while the main wreckage sank and was not found. All 11 occupants have been killed.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

Five Coast Guardsmen were killed when their HU-16E crashed on a mountainside near Ketchikan while returning from a search for a missing fishing vessel. The aircraft had failed to land during its first approach to the air station and was making a second attempt when it disappeared. Two days later wreckage was spotted near the summit of a mountain peak on Gravina Island, only three miles from the Air Station. Crew: Lcdr Joseph N. Andrassy, Lt Robert A. Perchard, Ao1 Harry W. Olson, Am2 Donald C. Malena, At3 Edward A. Krajniak. Source: http://www.check-six.com/lib/Coast_Guard_Aviation_Casualties.htm

United States Navy - USN

While approaching Subic Bay NAS in marginal weather conditions, the seaplane struck the slope of a Mt Mariveles located 37 km south of the airfield. All six occupants were killed, among them Admiral Arthur F. Spring, his wife and his aide. Crew: Lt Wade K. Smith, pilot, Lt Kenneth Owles, copilot, Airman Cecil G. Johnson. Passengers: Adm Arthur F. Spring, Clare Spring, Lt Karl Ziegenhagen.

Spanish Air Force - Ejército del Aire

Crashed in unknown circumstances and sank in the harbor of Las Palmas. There were no casualties.

Brazilian Air Force - Força Aérea Brasileira

The seaplane crashed into the Rio Guaíba while approaching Porto Alegre by night. Two crew members were killed while four others were injured.

Portuguese Air Force - Força Aerea Portuguesa

The crew was completing the evacuation of a patient (ill seaman) who should be transferred from a ship to the Island. The accident occurred by night and in unknown circumstances. While there were no casualties, the seaplane was lost.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

The crew was performing a test flight after the aircraft had undergone an intermediate inspection in which the control columns were removed and inspected for fatigue cracks in the bottom casting. The plane was cleared for take-off and instructed to turn right immediately after take-off to avoid other traffic. Take-off was normal but immediately after leaving the runway the plane banked slightly to the left, hesitated, and then banked and then banked very rapidly to the left until it was in a 90° bank. The left wing tip struck the ground and the plane broke in two and crashed. Four crew members were killed while two others were injured. Those killed were: Lcdr Claude S. Labaw, Lt Rolland A. Faucher, AD3 Matthew R. Ross, AT3 Gerald R. Fox.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

Crashed into the Salem Harbor while performing a JATO system demo flight. Two crew members were killed while four others were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed. Those killed were: LCDR Albert P. Hartt Jr., AO2 William J. Tarker Jr.

United States Air Force - USAF

Just after liftoff, stalled and crashed 400 meters from the airfield. Crew fate remains unknown.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was en route to Spain to deliver the aircraft to the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire). Shortly after takeoff from Argentia NAS, while climbing, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the Placentia Bay, about 1,5 km off shore. All six crew members were killed.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was engaged in a SAR mission following the disappearance of a Beechcraft Bonanza and was based at Albrook AFB, Panama. In unknown circumstances, the seaplane crashed in Jardín, Antioquia. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

The aircraft was engaged in an ambulance flight, carrying a patient from Haines to Juneau. Upon departure, the airplane crashed into the harbor in unclear circumstances, killing the patient and all three crew members. Three other passengers were injured. Crew: Al1 Clifford E. Habecker, pilot, † Ad1 Andrew P. Tournier, copilot, † Al3 Doyle E. Jahn, flight engineer. † Passenger: Fred Harrington (patient). †

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the North Atlantic while performing a flight between Iceland and Greenland. No trace of the aircraft nor the five crew members was ever found.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was taking part to SAR operations for a missing Beechcraft Bonanza registered N8449A. En route, an engine failed. All five crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed in the Kings Park National Park. All five occupants were recovered uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route from Beppu to Ashiya AFB, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain located three km southwest of Moji, killing all eight occupants. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to marginal weather conditions.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was performing a flight from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, to San Diego. While cruising by night at an altitude of 11,000 feet, one of the engine failed. All six crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed on the slope of the Towne Peak (7,287 feet high) located in the Dolomite canyon, in the Death Valley, about seven miles northeast of Panamint Springs. All six occupants were found unarmed while the aircraft was destroyed. It was later reported that the remaining engine was running normally at impact.

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Tsushima Airport, on Tsushima Island. Crew fate unknown.