 VP-209 Mishap
1940's
MISHAPs: 17 FEB 43 A/C: PBM-3  Location: NAS NORFOLK, VA Strike: Yes DEATHS: 7/KILLED, 5/MINOR BUNO: 6482 Cause: TAKE OFF ACCIDENT Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [Updated 18OCT2003 | 25MAR98]
Aircraft Accident Card #43-6013
Aircraft: PBM-3 BUNO: 6482
Squadron VP-209
Date: 17 Feb 43
Location: Nas Norfolk, Virginia
Type: Familiarization
From Administrative Report: As take-off run began, a slight porpoising developed, but was corrected. Before flying speed could be gained, the aircraft bounced into the air about 25-ft and then settled back on the water. It bounced a second time to a height of about 100-ft and then crashed into the water from a steep dive. The crash was apparently due entirely to pilot error and may be attributed to a combination of any or all of the following factors:
(A) Failure to accurately check personnel aboard.
(B) Failure to know exact distribution of material, and personnel.
(C) Failure to stop take-off when porpoising first developed.
(D) Failure to get nose down to normal take-off attitude after porpoising stopped, before increasing power.
(E) Failure to understand characteristics of PBM as compared to PBY seaplanes. Therefore failure to cut engines during 1st bounce.
Pilot was at fault for not requiring all personnel in the plane to wear life jackets. ComFltAirWing FIVE declares that the squadron commander shares this responsibility since it appears that he did not insure that equipment was worn habitually by plane crews as described.
Crew:
Pilot LT(jg) J. L. Williams (1st pilot), AVN USNR/Serious inj
ENS G. H. Vinderwood (2nd pilot), AVN USNR/Serious inj
ENS James E. Van Lear (passenger), AVN USNR/Missing
ENS Edward R. Folsom (passenger), AVN USNR/Serious inj
AMM1 Henry A. Coussens (plane capt),Serious inj
AMM2 H. R. Best (flight engineer), USN/Killed (drowned)
ACRM Francis X. Wentworth (1st radioman)/Missing
AOM3 Joseph H. Clark (V-2), USN/Missing
ARM3 John C. Kostyal (V-3), USNR/Killed (broken neck)
QM3 Kenneth R. Smart (V-6), USNR/Killed (drowned)
AMM1 John B. Lynch (V-1), USNR/Killed (drowned)
AMM1 Rudolph C. Weppler, USN/Serious inj
MISHAPs: 14 MAR 44 A/C: PBM-3S Location: NATA ELENA BAY, EQUADOR Strike: Yes BUNO: 01679 Cause: CRASHED ON TAKE-OFF Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25MAR98]
 "...WWII US NAVY Aviators (LT(jg) W. G. Booze) FLight Logbook - VPB-209 March - April 1944..." WebSite: EBay http://www.ebay.com [30DEC2011]
"...Some of the information you have posted concerning VP-209 was purchased from me last fall. This is the mterial concerning US Navy Pilot Wayne Booze. -- his pilot log book, plus a scattering of other papers. When I sent the material, I did not include a postcard-sized metal plate from the Martin Company. It states "This aircraft embodies features covered by one or more of the the U.S. Patents. . . ." and so forth. Interestingly, the reverse of the metal plate has an inscription scratched into the metal. It reads: "VP-209 P-85 - Bureau No. C1679 - Crashed March 14, 1944 - at Salinas Ecuador, S.A." - I would like to send this plate to you or to the person who owns the log book and papers..." Contributed by Mike Mattis mgmattis@comcast.net [08FEB2012]
MISHAPs: 14 JUL 44 A/C: PBM-3S Location: Unknown Strike: Yes BUNO: 6734 Cause: FORCE LANDED AT SEA, HULL SPLIT Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25MAR98]
MISHAPs: 16 JUL 44 A/C: PBM-3S Location: Unknown Strike: Yes DEATHS: 14/KILLED BUNO: 6600 Cause: CRASHED DURING LOW ALTITUDE SEARCH LITE RUN Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [25MAR98]
Approx.10-22N 79-02W Strike: Yes BUNO: 6600 Cause: Anti-submarine patrol; Crashed and burned after searchlite run on SS O.M.Bermuth (US Tanker); Crew missing...Pilot: Lt. Robert Donald Spanmuth, Ens. Lawrence Dixon Kiker, Ens. Sideny Fain, AMM2 Anthony John Block, AMM3 George Karl Hudspeth, ARM2 Calvin Ernest Furlong, ARM3 Wallace Joseph Gillon, RDM2 Paul Raymond Lanigan, AOM2 Daniel Robert Welch, ACMM(AA) Bernard Kobert Sierakonski, S2 Joseph Frank Serrenti, and S2 Walter Morgan (buried at sea). Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02OCT98]
MISHAPs: 09 SEP 44 A/C: PBM-3S Location: NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone Strike: No BUNO: 01682 Cause: Anti submarine nite sweep; taxi accident, hit ramp & seawall;Major damage Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [26SEP98]
MISHAPs: 17 SEP 44 A/C: PBM-3S Location: Training: San Blas Bay, Panama Strike: No BUNO: 01682 Cause: Engine cowling lost in flight, landed ok; Minor damage Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [26SEP98]
"VP-209 Summary Page"
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