Martin PBM Mariner

Historical safety data and incident record for the Martin PBM Mariner aircraft.

Safety Rating

9.2/10

Total Incidents

90

Total Fatalities

760

Incident History

Argentinian Navy - Armada Argentina

Puerto Belgrano NAS Buenos Aires province

Crashed into the Bahía Blanca shortly after takeoff from Puerto Belgrano NAS. All 10 crew members were rescued while the seaplane was written off.

December 17, 1959 5 Fatalities

Royal Netherlands Navy - Marineluchtvaartdienst

Fakfak Special Region of West Papua

Following a maritime patrol flight from Sorong-Jefman Airport, the seaplane crashed into the Patipi Bay while trying to land off Fakfak. Five crew members were killed and three others were injured.

June 10, 1959 8 Fatalities

Royal Netherlands Navy - Marineluchtvaartdienst

Dabolim Goa

The aircraft was on its way back to The Netherlands for maintenance purposes. En route from Negombo to Karachi, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to divert to Dabolim Airport for an emergency landing. While on approach at a height of 300 meters, the airplane went out of control and crashed in Vasco da Gama, near runway 26 threshold. Four crew members were seriously injured while four others were killed. A day later, all four survivors died from their injuries. Crew: Lt P. A. M. Landsdaal, Lt M. J. A. Baarspul, Lt J. Quispel, Sgt A. Dijkema, Cpl L. Bemer, Sgt C. N. Gabeler, Sgt C. Koster, Sgt S. Bruin.

November 9, 1958 36 Fatalities

Aero Topografica

Atlantic Ocean All World

The airplane was schedule to leave Lisbon at 0700LT but the departure was postponed to midday due to poor weather conditions. It finally left Lisbon-Cabo Ruivo Seaplane Base at 1223LT bound for Funchal, Madeira Island. Shortly after takeoff, the crew was cleared to climb to 8,000 feet and 17 minutes later, the pilot requested the permission to descent to 6,000 feet. At 1321LT, the captain was able to send a brief message 'QUG emergency'. As nothing further was heard from the crew, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 36 occupants was found. The brevity of the message "QUG EMERGENCY" in which QUG means in the international code 'I am forced to alight immediately' and the absence of an answer to questions, show that there was an abnormal situation on board. The signal "QUG" may also mean, "I will be forced to alight at. . . ' when followed by the indication of the place where the alighting will probably take place.

September 10, 1958 10 Fatalities

Royal Netherlands Navy - Marineluchtvaartdienst

Abadan Khuzestan

The seaplane was transferred from Biak to The Netherlands when the crew encountered technical difficulties en route so a stop was made at Abadan. After two weeks maintenance, permission was given to the crew to continue to Europe but shortly after takeoff, an oil leak on engine number one forced the crew to return to Abadan Airport. On approach, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion few km from the airfield, killing all ten crew members.

Royal Netherlands Navy - Marineluchtvaartdienst

Middelharnis South Holland

For undetermined reason, the seaplane landed hard on the Haringvliet off Middelharnis. On impact, the tail broke off and the airplane came to rest and sank. All seven crew members were injured and evacuated.

Royal Netherlands Navy - Marineluchtvaartdienst

Valkenburg AFB (Leiden) South Holland

The crew was performing a demonstration flight, taking part to an airshow at Valkenburg AFB. Following uneventful rotations, the pilot started an approach with one engine voluntarily inoperative. On short final, the second engine lost power, the airplane stalled and hit the runway surface, slid for several yards and came to a halt. All five crew members were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

August 12, 1957 9 Fatalities

Royal Netherlands Navy - Marineluchtvaartdienst

Merauke Special Region of Papua

Shortly after takeoff from Merauke-Mopah Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane clip trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. A crew member was rescued while nine others were killed.

October 31, 1955 15 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Colón Colón

While taking off from the Colón-Coco Solo NAS, the aircraft suffered a right engine failure, lost speed and height and eventually burst into flames while hitting a concrete pier. A crewman survived while 15 others were killed.

Argentinian Navy - Armada Argentina

Trinidad Island All Trinidad and Tobago

The crew was supposed to deliver the airplane to Argentina. Enroute, an engine caught fire, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed on Tobago Island and was seriously damaged. There were no injuries. It was later transferred to the US for repair but was destroyed by fire and irreparable.

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Safety Profile

Reliability

Reliable

This rating is based on historical incident data and may not reflect current operational safety.