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Loss of Flight 19 Official Accident Reports

Six Aircraft Accident Cards (NAVAIR339C) for the lead pilot, four instructors, and the search aircraft pilot. These cards also list other members loss.

Lieutenant C. C. Taylor, USNR - Leader of flight.

Image of Lieutenant C. C. Taylor, USNR - Leader of flight official accident report.
Lieutenant C. C. Taylor, USNR - Leader of flight official accident report.

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DATE HOUR LOCATION PURPOSE SERIAL NUMBER 5-Dec-45 APPROX 1904 AT SEA NAVIGATION 64-45 PILOT NAME, RANK & SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNED CEILING VISIBILITY WIND/ FORCE DARKNESS NIGHT HRS NIGHT HRS TAYLOR C.C., LT, USNR VTB-1 UNLIMITED 8 W 8 NONE UNIT AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED WEATHER @ ACCIDENT INSRUMENT INSTRUMENT TYPE CLEARANCE VTB-1 NAS FT LAUDERDALE HOURS HOURS CONTACT TOTAL HOURS TOTAL HRS THIS MODEL TOTAL HOURS LAST 3 MONTHS HOURS THIS MODEL LAST 3 MONTHS TIME IN FLIGHT MANEUVER OR ALT OF MANEUVER ANGLE OF IMPACT, STOP DIST, EST 2509.3 UNKNOWN 51.9 51.9 Approx. 4 h 55 m UNKNOWN - UNKNOWN SPEED PREVIOUS ACCIDENT RECORD INJURIES TO PILOT Pilot was leader of scheduled, routine, day navigation MISSING A flight which took off from NAS FT LAUDERDALE NAME AND RANK OF OTHER PERSONNEL INJ 5 DEC 1945 at 1408. Approx 1600, radio messages were DOULIN, G.F., AOM3C USNR MISSING A intercepted that led us to believe that this flight PARPART, W. H., ARM3C USNR MISSING A was lost in the vicinity of Bahama Is. Efforts were made immediately to contact this flight by radio and to direct them to fly a course of 270 degrees or into sun. If these directions had been heard and carried out, we are certain this flight would have returned to base safely. A/S rescure unit 4 alerted all stations and everything possible was done to get whis flight back safely. Intensive search was carrried A/C MODEL & NO PARACHUTE out starting at daybreak 6 DEC 1945 & securing at 1527 TBM-3 23307 USED 10 DEC 1945. Results negative. DAMAGE DAMAGE DESCRIPTION & REMARKS Fact finding board of investigation has been appointed AIRCRAFT X AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE LOST AT SEA by CNAADTRA to make detailed report on & if possible ENGINES cause of loss of a/c. RECOMMENDATIONS: Added emphasis is GEN NATUR E-2 being placed on importance of proper navigation, & lost SPEC TYPE (6) LOST-FUEL EXHAUSTION plane procedure. CO: Concur with report of board. Training Dept has been directed to intensify training in CAUSE M-1 POOR NAVIGATION lost plane procedure & stress with all pilots the ANAYLISIS Z POOR NAVIGATION necessity for carring out correct procedure when lost. TALLY CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENT CAUSES D R A-B O AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT D R A-B OTHER 100% UNDETERMINED CARD NAVAIR 339C X X

Ensign J. T. Bossi, USNR

Image of Ensign J. T. Bossi, USNR - Official Accident Report
Ensign J. T. Bossi, USNR - Official Accident Report

DATE HOUR LOCATION PURPOSE SERIAL NUMBER 5-Dec-45 APPROX 1904 AT SEA NAVIGATION 61-45 PILOT NAME, RANK & SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNED CEILING VISIBILITY WIND FORCE DARKNESS NIGHT HRS NIGHT HRS BOSSI, J.T., ENS, USNR VTB-1 Unlim 8 W 8 UNIT AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED WEATHER @ ACCIDENT INSRUMENT INSTRUMENT TYPE CLEARANCE VTB-1, NAS FT. LAUDERDALE, FL HOURS HOURS CONTACT TOTAL HOURS TOTAL HRS THIS MODEL TOTAL HOURS LAST 3 MONTHS TOTAL THIS MODEL LAST 3 MONTHS TIME IN FLIGHT MANEUVER OR ALT OF MANEUVER ANGLE OF IMPACT, STOP DIST, EST SPEED 373.4 65.9 77.4 65.9 Approx. 4 h 55 m UNKNOWN -UNKNOWN PREVIOUS ACCIDENT RECORD INJURIES TO PILOT Pilot was member of scheduled, routine, day MISSING A navigation flight which took off from NAS Ft. - NAME AND RANK OF OTHER PERSONNEL INJ Lauderdale, 5 DEC at 1408. Approx 1600, radio THELANDER, Arther H., S1C, USNR Missing A messages intercepted that led us to believe this BALUK, Burt E., Jr., S1C, USNR Missing A flight was lost in vicinity of Bahamas. Efforts were made to contact flight by radio & direct to fly course of 270 degrees or into sun. If these directions had been heard & carried out, we are certain this flight would have been returned to base safely. A/S Rescue Unit 9 alerted all stations & everything possible was done to get flight back safely. Intensive search was carried out starting daybreak A/C MODEL & NO PARACHUTE 6 DEC 1945 & securing 1527, 10 DEC. #TBM-1C 45714 USED Results negative. DAMAGE DAMAGE DESCRIPTION & REMARKS Fact finding board of investigation has been appointed AIRCRAFT A/C & ENGIN LOST AT SEA by CNAADTRA to make detailed report on & if possible ENGINES determine cause of loss of subj a/c. GEN NATURE E-2 RECOMMENDATIONS: Added emphasis is being placed on SPEC TYPE ACC (6) LOST-FUEL EXHAUSTION importance of proper navigation & lost plane procedure. CO: Concur with report of board. CAUSE M-1 POOR NAVIGATION Training dept directed to intensify training in lost ANAYLISIS (Z) POOR NAVIGATION plane procedure & stress to pilots necessity TALLY for carrying out correct procedure when lost. CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENT CAUSES D R A-B O AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT D R A-B OTHER 100% UNDETERMINED CARD NAVAIR 339C

Lieutenant F. J. Gerber, USMCR

Image of Lieutenant F. J. Gerber, USMCR - Official Accident Report
Lieutenant F. J. Gerber, USMCR - Official Accident Report

DATE HOUR LOCATION PURPOSE SERIAL NUMBER 5-Dec-45 APPROX 1904 AT SEA NAVIGATION 60-45 PILOT NAME, RANK & SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNED CEILING VISIBILITY WIND/ FORCE DARKNESS NIGHT HRS NIGHT HRS GERBER F.J., 2ndLt, USMCR VTB-1 UNLIMITED8 8 W 8 NONE UNIT AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED WEATHER @ ACCIDENT INSRUMENT INSTRUMENT TYPE CLEARANCE VTB-1, USNAS FT LAUDERDALE HOURS HOURS CONTACT TOTAL HOURS TOTAL HRS THIS MODEL TOTAL HOURS LAST 3 MONTHS HOURS THIS MODEL LAST 3 MONTHS TIME IN FLIGHT MANEUVER OR ALT OF MANEUVER ANGLE OF IMPACT, STOP DIST, EST SPEED 360.6 61.8 71.4 61.8 Approx. 4 h 55 m PREVIOUS ACCIDENT RECORD INJURIES TO PILOT Pilot was member of scheduled, routine day navigation MISSING A flight which took off from NAS FT LAUDERDALE NAME AND RANK OF OTHER PERSONNEL INJ 5 DEC 1945 at 1408. At approx 1600, radio messages LIGHTFOOT, W. E., PFC USMCRA MISSING A were intercepted that led us to believe that this flight was lost in vicinity of Bahama Is. Efforts were made immediately to contact flight by radio and to direct them to fly a course of 270 degrees or into sun. If these directions had been heard & carried out we are certain this flight would have returned to base safely. A/S rescue task unit 4 alerted all stations & everything possible was don’t to get this fkight back safely. An intensive search was carried out starting A/C MODEL & NO PARACHUTE daybreak 6 DEC 1945 & securing 1527, 10 DEC 1945. TBM-1C 46325 USED Results negative. Fact finding board of investigation DAMAGE DAMAGE DESCRIPTION & REMARKS has been appointed by CNAADTRA to make a detailed AIRCRAFT X AIRCRAFT & ENGINE LOST AT SEA report and determine the cause of the loos of subj a/c ENGINES RECOMMENDATIONS: Added emphasis is being placed on GEN NATURE E-2 importance of proper navigation & lost plane procedure SPEC TYPE ACC (6) LOST-FUEL EXHAUSTION CO: Concur with report of board. Training Dept has been directed to intensify training in lost plane CAUSE M-1 POOR NAVIGATION procedure & stress with all pilots necessity of ANAYLISIS Z POOR NAVIGATION carrying out correct procedure when lost. TALLY CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENT CAUSES D R A-B O AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT D R A-B OTHER 100% UNDETERMINED CARD NAVAIR 339C X X

Captain E. J. Powers, USMC

Image of Captain E. J. Powers, USMC - Official Accident Report
Captain E. J. Powers, USMC - Official Accident Report

DATE HOUR LOCATION PURPOSE SERIAL NUMBER 5-Dec-45 APPROX 1904 AT SEA NAVIGATION 63-45 PILOT NAME, RANK & SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNED CEILING VISIBILITY WIND/ FORCE DARKNESS NIGHT HRS NIGHT HRS POWERS, E.J. CAPT, USMC VTB-1 UNLIMITED 8 W 8 UNIT AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED WEATHER @ ACCIDENT INSRUMENT INSTRUMENT TYPE CLEARANCE VTB-1, NAS FT LAUDERDALE HOURS HOURS CONTACT TOTAL HOURS TOTAL HRS THIS MODEL TOTAL HRS LAST 3 MONTHS HRS THIS MODEL LAST 3 MONTHS TIME IN FLIGHT MANEUVER OR ALT OF MANEUVER ANGLE OF IMPACT, STOP DIST, EST SPEED 344.9 62.2 69.2 62.2 Approx. 4 h 55 m UNKNOWN - UNKNOWN PREVIOUS ACCIDENT RECORD INJURIES TO PILOT Pilot was member of scheduled, routine, day navigation MISSING A flight which took off from NAS FT LAUDERDALE FL NAME AND RANK OF OTHER PERSONNEL INJ 5 DEC 1945 at 1408. At approx 1600, radio messages THOMPSON, HOWELL O SGT, USMCR-A MISSING A that led us to believe flight was lost in vicinity of PAONESSA, GEORGE R SGT, USMCR-A MISSING A Bahama Islands. Efforts were made immediately to contact flight by radio & direct to fly course of 270 degrees or into sun. If directions had been heard and carried out, we are certain this flight would have returned to base safely. A/S/ Rescue Unit 4 alerted all stations & everything possible was done to get this flight back safely. Intensive search was carried out starting at daybreak 6 DEC 1945 and A/C MODEL & NO PARACHUTE securing at 1527 10 DEC 1945. Results negative. TBM-1C 46094 USED Fact finding board of investigation has been appointed DAMAGE DAMAGE DESCRIPTION & REMARKS by CNAADTRA to make a detailed report on, & if AIRCRAFT X A/C & ENGINE LOST AT SEA possible to determine the cause of loss of subj a/c. ENGINES RECOMMENDATIONS: Added emphasis is being placed on GEN NATURE E-2 importance of proper navigation & lost plane procedure SPEC TYPE ACC (6) Lost - fuel exhaustion CO: Concur with report of board. Training dept has been directed to intensify training in lost plane CAUSE M-1 Poor Navigation procedure & stress with pilots necessity for carrying ANAYLISIS Z Poor Navigation out correct procedure when lost. TALLY CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENT CAUSES D R A-B O AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT D R A-B OTHER 100% UNDETERMINTED CARD NAVAIR 339C I K

Captain C. W. Stivers, USMC

Image of Captain C. W. Stivers, USMC - Official Accident Report
Captain C. W. Stivers, USMC - Official Accident Report

DATE HOUR LOCATION PURPOSE SERIAL NUMBER 5-Dec-45 APPROX 1904 AT SEA NAVIGATION 62-45 PILOT NAME, RANK & SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNED CEILING VISIBILITY WIND/ FORCE DARKNESS NIGHT HRS NIGHT HRS STIVERS G. M., CAPT, USMC VTB-1 UNLIMTED 8 W 8 UNIT AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED WEATHER @ ACCIDENT INSRUMENT INSTRUMENT TYPE CLEARANCE VTB-1, USNAS FT LAUDERDALE HOURS HOURS CONTACT TOTAL HOURS TOTAL HRS THIS MODEL TOTAL HRS LAST 3 MONTHS HRS THIS MODEL LAST 3 MONTHS TIME IN FLIGHT MANEUVER OR ALT OF MANEUVER ANGLE OF IMPACT, STOP DIST, EST SPEED 374.7 57.9 64.1 57.9 Approx. 4 h 55 m UNKOWN - UNKNOWN PREVIOUS ACCIDENT RECORD Pilot was member of scheduled, routine, day navigation INJURIES TO PILOT flight which took off from NAS FT LAUDERDALE MISSING A 5 dec 1945 at 1408. At approx 1600, radio messages NAME AND RANK OF OTHER PERSONNEL INJ were intercepted that led us to believe that this GRUEBEL, ROBERT P. PVT, USMCR-A MISSING A flight was lost in the vicinity of the Bahaman Isle. GALLIVAN, ROBERT, F. SGT, USMCR-A A Efforts were made immediately to contact flight by radio & to direct them to fly course 260 degrees or into sun. If these directions had been heard or carried out we are certain this flight would have returned to base safely. A/S Rescure Unite 4 alerted all stations & everything possible was done to get flight back safely. An intensive search was carried out starting daybreak 6 DEC 1945 & securing 1527 A/C MODEL & NO PARACHUTE 10 DEC 1945. Results negative. Fact finding TBM-1C 73209 USED board of investivation has been appointed by CNAADTRA DAMAGE DAMAGE DESCRIPTION & REMARKS to make a detailed report and if possible determine AIRCRAFT X AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE LOST AT SEA cause of loss of subj a/c. RECOMMENDATIONS: added ENGINES emphasis is placed on importance of proper navigation GEN NATURE E-2 & lost plane procedure. SPEC TYPE ACC 6 LOST - FUEL EXHAUSTION CO: Concur with report of board. Training Dept has been directed to intensify training in lost plane CAUSE M-1 POOR NAVIGATION procedure & stress with all pilots the necessity ANAYLISIS Z POOR NAVIGATION for carrying our correct procedure when lost. TALLY CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENT CAUSES D R A-B O AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT D R A-B OTHER 100% UNDETERMINED CARD NAVAIR 339C X X

Lieutenant (jg) Walter G. Jeffrey - Search Aircraft

Image of Lieutenant (jg) Walter G. Jeffrey - Search Aircraft - Official Accident Report
Lieutenant (jg) Walter G. Jeffrey - Search Aircraft - Official Accident Report

DATE HOUR LOCATION PURPOSE SERIAL NUMBER 5-Dec-45 UNKNOWN UNKNOWN EMERGENCY SEARCH ATU-11-45 PILOT NAME, RANK & SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNED CEILING VISIBILITY WIND FORCE DARKNESS NIGHT HRS NIGHT HRS JEFFREY, WALTER G., USN, Lt(jg) VPB2-ATU3 6000 8 270 10 YES UNIT AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED WEATHER @ ACCIDENT INSRUMENT INSTRUMENT TYPE CLEARANCE VPB2-ATU3 NAS BANANA RIVER HOURS HOURS CONTACT TOTAL HOURS TOTAL HRS THIS MODEL TOTAL HRS LAST 3 MONTHS HRS THIS MODEL LAST 3 MONTHS TIME IN FLIGHT MANEUVER OR ALT OF MANEUVER ANGLE OF IMPACT, STOP DIST, EST SPEED 1917.8 426.2 85.7 85.7 UNKNOWN UNKNOWN PREVIOUS ACCIDENT RECORD Informal fact finding board convened by CO of INJURIES TO PILOT NAS BANANA RIVER, FL to investigate loss of MISSING A PBM-5 59225 & crew of 13 officers and men. ANALYSIS: NAME AND RANK OF OTHER PERSONNEL INJ 51. That Walter G Jeffrey, LTJG, USN 329291 volunteer ARCENEAUX, CHARLES D. ENS USNR MISSING A to act as patrol plane commander of PBM-5 59225 CONE, HARRY GRIMES LTJG USNR MISSING A Squadron Training 49, on night of 5 DEC 1945 & in so ALLEN, ROGER MURRAY ENS USNR MISSING A doing displayed sense of duty & spirit. ELIASON, LLOYD A. ENS USNR MISSING A 1. That PBM-5 59255, Ron 9 departed from NAS BANANA ZWICKI, ALFRED JOSEPH S1C(AOM)USNR MISSING A RIVER on Air Sea Rescue Mission at about 1927 5DEC1945 OSTERHELD, JAMES FREDERICK AOM3C USN MISSING A 2. Than an out report was received my NAS BANANA RIVER MENENDEZ, JOHN THOMAS AOM USN MISSING A from PBM5 59225, Ron 49 at 1930 5 DEC 1945 and no NEEMAN, PHILIP BIRD SLC(ARM) USN MISSING A further communications received from PBM5 59255 Ron9. JORDON, JAMES F ARM3C USN MISSING A 52. That the weather conditions over area assigned to CAMERON, ROBERT C. ARM3C USN MISSING A PBM-5 59225 Ron Training 49 on night of 5 DEC 1945 CARGILL WILEY DAVID SLC(AMM) USN MISSING A were undesirable, but not unduly hazardous for mission PETERSON, DONALD EDWARD AMM1C USN MISSING A assigned. A/C MODEL & NUMBER PARACHUTE 53. That PBM-5 BuNo 59225, exploded at sea for reason PBM-5 59225 USED unknown in approximate position of 28 degrees, 59'- DAMAGE DAMAGE DESCRIPTION & REMARKS north, 80 degrees, 25' west, were conducted during AIRCRAFT X MISSING AT SEA period 5-10 DEC 1945, inclusive for possible ENGINE survivors of PBM-5 BuNo 59225. GEN NATURE Y SPEC TYPE EXPLODED AT SEA- CAUSE ANALYSIS TALLY UNKNOWN D R A-B O AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT D R A-B OTHER CLASSIFICATION OF ACCIDENT CAUSES CARD NAVAIR 339C D R

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Published: Mon Oct 07 16:07:20 EDT 2019