VP-28 Mishap
1940's
MISHAPs: 17 AUG 44 A/C: PBM-3D Location: Unknown Strike: No BUNO: 45383 Cause: Towed sleve gunnery; Port gunner shot tail during gunnery run on sleve (36-02N 75-11W); Major damage Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [26SEP98]
MISHAPs: 12 DEC 44 A/C: PBM-3D Location: Unknown Strike: Yes BUNO: 45382 Deaths: 7/KILLED, 3/MINOR Cause: LOST/FORCE LANDED Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [16MAR98]
"...Information below come from "Naval Aviation Safety Center Aircraft Accident Reports" which are on microfilm roll #17..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [03JUN2001]
Pilot was ordered out on a daylight operational patrol to depart at 0700 local and return at 1730 local. Pilot became lost and failed to orientate himself by lost plane procedure. Shortly after 2200 local time (four hours after sundown) with fuel almost gone, pilot ditched at approximately Lat 21-13N, Longitude 151-35W. Extensive plane search was conducted-results were negative. A ship bound for the United States picked up three survivors, EARLY, ATKINSON, GIBSON.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
At 1850 Nas Kaneohe recived message from GOERTZ stating his estimated position as bearing 050deg-360mi. from the center of Oahu. Kaneohe furnished a bearing of 70deg. from Kaneohe based of DF on MOs sent by GOERTZ beginning aat 1938. This bearing was acknowledged at 2059. The last probabl position of the PBM was 21-45N 151W, indicated by MO's sent at 2120. IFF was on emergency from 1700 on. At 2115 GOERTZ ordered his crew to take ditching positions, The 1300 pounds of bombs had previously been jettisoned, and two float lights dropped to inspect sea surface. Twelve more float lightes were dropped. At 2133 the plane landed with full flaps down into a 15-20 knot wind, the seas rough, between 10-20 high. The plane hit the water hard and bounced, with the tunnel and rudder bent to the port, with a slew to port. The plane bounced hard a second time, one wing float carried away, and both engines cut out. On the third impact, the nose crushed below the surface and remained there, with the entire bow smashed into the flight deck, probably killing GOERTZ and HIGGINS at once and killing or trapping O'CONNEL and MACKEY. The other six were unhurt.
Lt C. T. M.Goertx (pilot) USNR/Missing Ens A. B. Higgins (co-pilot) USNR/Missing Ens C. H. Harrison USNR/Died(drowned)/Recovered Amm2c F. X. O'Connell USNR/Missing Amm3c J. W. Chandler USNR/Died(drowned)/Recovered Amm3c J. O. Early USNR/Rescued Arm2c P. V. Mackey USNR/Missing Arm3c A. A. Myers USNR/Died(drowned)/Recovered Aom3c W. G. Gibson USNR/Rescued Aom3c W. J. Atkinson USNR/Rescued
"...Lost, fuel exhaustion, force landed; 21-13N 151-35W - Pilot Lt. C.T.M.Cortez/Missing, Ens C.H.Harrison/Missing, Ens J.B.Higgins/Missing, Amm2c F.I.O'Connell/Missing, Amm3c J.W.Chandler/Missing, Arm2c P.V.Mackey/Missing, Arm3c A.J.Myers/Missing, and 3/minor inj..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [22DEC2000]
MISHAPs: 26 MAR 45 A/C: PBM-3D Location: LINGAYEN, MINDORO Strike: Yes BUNO: 43587 CAUSE: FORCE LANDED 140mi. WEST OF ACFT LOST TO SHIFTING WINDS, AFTER RESCUE Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
MISHAPs: 12 MAR 45 A/C: PBM-3D Location: LINGAYEN AREA Strike: Yes BUNO: 45378 CAUSE: TAXI ACCIDENT, HIT REEF NEAR BOUY & SANK 6' Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
MISHAPs: 08 MAR 45 A/C: PBM-3D Location: Unknown Strike: Yes BUNO: 45388 CAUSE: Flew into water during Recon. Run-bounced and flew back to base and beached aircraft Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
"...This happened to my crew, Crew 16 of VPB-28. I was operating the radar while we were making a bombing run on four targets, presumed to be ships. We were not able to drop bombs on the run because we were not lined up properly. Almost immediately after we hit the water. Lt Richert was ppc, and we found out the panel showed a bomb release and it had jammed the doors shut. The ordinanceman named Libby cranked the doors open to release the bomb. When we landed at Lingayen gulf we started taking on water and had to run the plane up on the beach on Cabilitian Island..." Contributed by Jack Grimsley jack524@webtv.net [17JUN2001]
MISHAPs: 02 JUL 45 A/C: PBM-3D Location: PI Strike: Yes BUNO: 45379 CAUSE: COLLISION WITH OBSTACLE Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
MISHAPs: 01 JUL 45 A/C: PBM-5 Location: PI Strike: Yes BUNO: 45391 CAUSE: MECHANICAL FAILURE Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
MISHAPs: 14 FEB 46 A/C: PBM-5 Location: TARUMPITAC PT, PALAWAN, PI Strike: Yes BUNO: 59247 HIT CORAL REEF LANDING Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
"...Pilot.Lt.Arthur E.Mix & 9/ok..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [22DEC2000]
MISHAPs: 25 JUL 46 A/C: PBM-5 Location: NS Sangley Point, Philippines Strike: Yes DEATHS: 11/KILLED BUNO: 84734 CAUSE: Unknown Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
"... I am the son of LT Claude W. Adams, Jr. who was killed in a VP-28 (July 25th, 1946) Mishap. I last "saw" my father when I was three months old. We got notice he was "missing" when we were at an airfield to fly to the Philippines to join him. His entire crew of 11 perished at the same time and are buried in one grave at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery St. Louis, MO. I loaded a small BIO of my Dad on American WWII Orphans Network - Lt. Claude Willard Adams, Jr. - USNA 1942..." Contributed by Richard C. Adams radams@pleasanthill.k12.or.us [29MAR2013]
"...Special search VP-28 NS Sangley Point, Philippines Ceiling: 5000'..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [Updated 16NOV2002 | Updated 22DEC2000]
WEATHER: Shower 1-20 WIND: 2 FORCE: 20 DARKNESS: No CLEARANCE: Operational CHECK OF ITEMS: Search area assigned was 13-00N to 14-00N and 120-00E to 121-00E. The portion of Mindoro Is. included is rugged mountainous terrain. The area surrounding Mt. Halcon is a series of hills and deep valleys, building up to the peak at 9000'. Turbulence was heavy close to the terrain. heavy showers and cloud conditions were prevalent due to air currents present.
ANALYSIS: PBM-5 aircraft, BUNO: 84737, Pilot LT C. W. Adams USN departed NS Sangley Point, Philippines at 0720H, 28 Jul 1946 on a special search for a missing Army C-47 aircraft. Flying conditions were average over sea areas with the following conditions prevailing in the assigned search area; northern side of Mindoro Is; ceiling 5000', light cumulus 2500-3000', scattered showers, vis. 1-20 miles, and moderate to heavy turbulence from surface to ceiling. At 0814H the first position report was given and receipted for, the position being given as 13-10N, 120-52E, there was no further communication with the aircraft and a search was initiated at 1500H, 28 Jul 1946. Search planes discovered the wreckage on "2 August" in position 13-11N 120-56E. However, due to the location and condition of the wreckage, it was impossible to obtain positive identification. On 13 Aug, an Army search party, commanded by 2nd.Lt. L.L. Beckstead 3rd Inf.Trg. U.S.Army reached the scene of the crash, and identification was made by means of manufactures name plates from the engines. The aircraft had crashed into the side of a ridge, and was totally demolished. The party took photographs and through and interpreter questioned a native eyewitness. From the eyewitness account and photo, it is the opinion of this board that the pilot was in a gliding power spiral, attempting to let down between the clouds, or trying to establish contact before a shower moved into the area, and crashed into the side of the ridge, when due to unknown reasons, he did not see the terrain in time to avoid impact. The aircraft crashed while in full flight, and it is believed, exploded upon impact. In view of the eyewitness account, the possibility of fire the air cannot be overlooked. However, there was another squadron plane in the air, and it is believed that communication could have been established in a case of that kind. The witness being several miles away would have seen flame from an explosion some time before hearing the report.
Pilot and Crew Killed:PILOT: LT Claude W. Adams SQUADRON: VP-28 TOTAL HOURS: 995 TOTAL HRS THIS MODEL: 665 TOTAL HOURS: 1 month: 100.7 TOTAL HRS: 3 months: 100.7 TIME IN FLIGHT: 1hr. 30mins Crew:LT Lionel G. Tetley USNR ENSIGN Garland S. Morrison USNR ADMM Roger T. Mills MMFAC1 Walter Olinkiewicz AAMACZ Joseph Adamusko ARMAC2 Donald R. Manis AOM3 Marion K. Norland AMM2 Doyle E. Brownlee AOM2 Calvin M. Wilson, Jr. YN3 John P. Ferreira
MISHAPs: 05 AUG 45 A/C: PBM-3D Location: Unknown Strike: Yes BUNO: 45398 CAUSE: FORCE LANDED Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [02APR98]
"...PBM-3D: 45394; VPB-28; 5 Aug 45; USS Leslie sank PBM by gunfire at 15-34N 125-51E..." Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [29OCT2000]
1950's
MISHAPs: 22 JUL 57 A/C: P2V LOCATION: NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii DEATHS: 00 CAUSE: Mid-air explosion over the Pacific
"...I was a crewmember,flying in the afterstation, on CF-8 while on night exercises from NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. Pilot LCDR Ahern was making a shallow dive run on a target. When the searchlight came on the target was revealed as a small fishing boat. Pulling out of the shallow dive, the starboard engine exploded with a ball of fire. Flames were streaming past my afterstation window. Likely cause was determined as power recovery tubine disintigration. Apparently the engine had magnesium componets and it burned fiercly. My recollection is that the pilot made at least one dive attempting to extinguish the flame. It was unsuccesful and Ahern told us to get our chutes on and prepare to bail. I believe that dropping crew over the ocean far out to sea at night probably influenced the pilots to change to ditching mode. Later we were told that the aircraft had a poor record in breaking up upon ditching and ditching should be performed with wheels up. The wheels had been lowered due in concern that an exploding tire could damage the wing. We were told to buckle into our ditching station and prepare to ditch. My ditching station was immediately behind the wing passage with the small adjacent window jettisoned. Upon impact my area immediately filled with water. I wsa unable to unlatch my seat belt and felt like it was the end. I had a wife and three month old son back at the base and all I could think of was the the son with no Dad. Calming myself down, I managed to free the seat belt and my good buddy Darrel Boyer reached through the small window and helped me exit the aircraft. A large raft had automatically ejected from under water and standing on the wing the whole crew was able to climb aboard. In the darkness we watched CF-8 float for maybe 15 or 20 minutes before slowly going to the sea. My recollection is that our radioman had sent a "mayday, mayday starboard engine on fire, position follows". Before the Navigator could give him a position, we were ditching so the squadron did not know our precise location. Though there were bruises and scrapes the crew had no serious injuries. Aboard the raft, we mounted an onboard radar relector. In an hour of two we heard and aicraft. Using a small onboard radio, Ahern contacted the aircraft, one of our squadron. The aircraft above had been intending to rendevous with a submarine for the search and our radar reflector looked large enough to be that sub. Flares were dropped in the night and we became concerned that we would be bombed by a flare. Within a few hours the submarine Bream located us and took us aboard. Swells of about five feet made the leap from the raft to the sub's deck quite difficult. I have always been grateful for our pilot's skills in the ditching...." Contributed by McCABE, AO2 Bill billval@gilanet.com [20MAY2007]
"...I was the Plane Captain of Crew 8 and on the panel when we crashed at sea due to engine fire (22 JUL 57). We were picked up by the USS Bream (Submarine). The plane took 22 minutes to sink. It was one of Ahearn's best landings..." Contributed by Bob Hardesty mbh@inreach.com [27JUL2000]
"...As to the aircraft that ditched at sea at night, due to an engine on fire, a friend of mine, Pat Madigan, related the experience to me. To the best of my hazy memory the starboard engine caught fire. The pilot decided to lower the landing gear so the wing wouldn't collapse. Everyone managed to get out, and all 10 men were forced to pile into one 7 man life raft. When our search plane located them they proceeded to fire flares, which caused no small concern, as the crew had to keep paddleing away from them. I believe they were picked up by a submarine. Would like to here from Pat Madigan if he should see this note..." Contributed by Mike Rafferty mfrafferty@yahoo.com [27JUL99]
"...Adding to the Mishaps information presented in the VP-28 section. Concerning the P2V that ditched at night, LCDR Ahern decided to ditch with gear down (contrary to recommended procedures) since he was concerned that the nacelle fire might result in a tire exploding and cause enough damage he would lose control. It is my understanding that model/water tank testing indicated that ditching with gear down would result in aircraft noseing-over. However, this was not the result and according to crew members they were able to walk out on a wing and enter liferaft. I believe the aircraft continued to float; was declared a "Hazard to Navigation" and a ship dispached to sink it. The PPC of the P2V that pancaked in at Barbers Point after loss off a engine immediately after wheels up was LDCR Fottrell. Regarding the P2V that crashed during landing, it was thought that a runaway VariCam most likely led to this accident. There was some thought that the fact some model P2Vs used a mechanical VariCam stop and others used an electrical stop and the emergency procedures differed depending on the type stop could have been a contributing factor. After that accident, Jay R. Beasley (he was also Mr. P2V) flew with most of the squadron's pilots to demonstrate how the aircraft could be flown with full up VariCam..." Contributed by Richard Saunders rsaunders3@aol.com [07JUL2000]
"...As to the aircraft that ditched at sea at night, due to an engine on fire, a friend of mine, Pat Madigan, related the experience to me. To the best of my hazy memory the starboard engine caught fire. The pilot decided to lower the landing gear so the wing wouldn't collapse. Everyone managed to get out, and all 10 men were forced to pile into one 7 man life raft. When our search plane located them they proceeded to fire flares, which caused no small concern, as the crew had to keep paddleing away from them. I believe they were picked up by a submarine. Would like to here from Pat Madigan if he should see this note..." Contributed by Mike Rafferty mfrafferty@yahoo.com 27JUL99]
"...While I was in VP-28 three aircraft went down, one at sea at night, no one hurt and the other crashed into the water making a landing all hands lost, our whole squadron did a beach pick-up, lots of things washed up on beach, some were very upsetting. One of the crewman was a friend, anyway I am looking for all my old clippings...the 3rd aircraft went down on take off, If I remember right the wheels were coming up and they started to loose an engine...Charley McCoskey pumpertwo@aol.com got a long ride on the runway surface and then off the end of the runway in a big cloud of coral dust. I will dig up stuff to verify..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@netscape.net [02FEB98]
"...the Plane Commanders name was Lt. Joseph F. Ahearn...I was assistant OD the night the plane went in, had to wake the duty officer and then things got hectic...Bob Colley's crew is the one they sent out to locate the plane that ditched..." Contributed by AEM2 Ronald P. Doran ron479usa@netscape.net [04MAR98]
MISHAPs: 23 JUL 57 A/C: P2V LOCATION: 300 yardds off NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii runway. BUNO: 128418 DEATHS: 10 CREW LOST: LT (PPC) T. H. Oates, LT(jg) (Pilot) R. M. Carlson, LT(jg) R. Lang, AM3 J. E. Francis, AE3 M. W. Ewalt, AT3 D. R. Senecal, AT3 J. W. Strunk, AN C. W. Thacker, AE2 J. J. Vishey and AO1 A. H. Williamson WebSite: Patrol Squadron 28 Bulletin Board
VP-28 Mishap
"...My father, AO1 Allan Harold Williamson, was lost (with 9 others) July 23rd, 1957 while flying with VP-28. I would like to hear from anyone that may have served with my father. Thanks!..." Contributed by Michael Williamson willfish56@embarqmail.com [20AUG2017]
MISHAPs 12 AUG 57 A/C: P2V LOCATION: NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii DEATHS: 00 CAUSE: Mechanical
Mishap Aircraft "...#7 had a runaway engine, left wing tip hit the ground and cartwheeled over the top of our line shack as we came out of it. She crashed the other of the line shack. No hurt bad. We also had 3 - AD-6's (now called A 1's), F8U, TV2, #6 was the only P2V left on the flight line..." Contributed by MAY, Ronald feather510@comcast.net [30JAN2013]
"...First picture (left) is VP-28 P2 BUNO: 131433 Circa 1954. The other three pictures were taken in August 12th, 1957 at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. The tail letters were changed in early 1957..." Contributed by Charley McCoskey pumpertwo@aol.com [Pictures Updated 04JAN2005]
"...Mishap Report..." Contributed by Charley McCoskey pumpertwo@aol.com [04JAN2005]
VP-28 Crew 7
PPC LCDR John Fortrell Co-Pilot LT Archie Underwood Plane Captain AD3 William Wyatt Radioman AL3 Edmund Zebrowski Radarman ATAN Paul Swanson ECM Operator AE3 Charles McCoskey
A little information I got under the Freedom of Information Act in the accident report and with talks with LCDR Fortrell.
Entire crew did not fly. Flight was to slow time (break in) new port engine. This is the engine that failed. Just after takeoff with wheels coming up, port engine over sped and went into reverse. Plane banked sharply left and nosed toward the ground. LCDR Fortrell wrestled the plane to within 10 degrees of level before contacting the ground. The plane skidded 880 yds. before stopping in 3 pieces. The plane caught fire and was a total loss. LCDR Fortrell broke his wrist and the rest of the crew received cuts and bruises.
The bad engine went back to Alameda where it came from, and they discovered seals were missing from the governor. Some engines processed before and after this one, had the same problem, but I don't know of any accidents.
MISHAPs 15 DEC 53 A/C: P2V LOCATION: NAS Kodiak, Alaska DEATHS: 00 CAUSE: VP-28 "Charlie Fox 8" overshot runway on landing. [09MAY2009]
"...VP-28 "Charlie Fox 8" overshot runway on landing. The runway was covered in ice. The bird touched down pretty hot with about a third of the runway gone. Everyone walked away..." Contributed by WEST, AO2 Ron ronfran7@verizon.net [09MAY2009]
1960's
00 XXX 66 LOCATION: NS Sangley Point, Philippines I was in VP-28 flying out of NS Sangley Point, Philippines in 1966. Our skipper was attempting to land and struck the sea wall. Shot a missed approach and landed safely. When the plane was repaired enough to fly to Naha when rolling down the runway 3 engines exploded. Everyone got out OK. The skippers name was Von Schrader Cdr. Do you have any information on this occurrence? Thanks very much...HARPER, Zade Wr03@aol.com..." [30MAY2002]
"VP-28 Summary Page"
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