MISHAPs: 04 MAY 42 A/C: PBY-5A Location: Near Sausalito, Calif Strike: Yes BUNO: 48416 Cause: Plane took off from Nas Alameda at 1241, May 4, 1945 with an operational load, including 1050 gallons of gasoline and 4-Mk54, Depth Charges. Flight was cleared according to contact flight rules by Oakland Air Traffic Control to the coastline, a distance of eleven miles, and from that point to proceed on mission according to operational plan. Five miles northwest of the field in vicinity of Alcatraz Island, aircraft encountered lowering ceiling, making it impossible to maintain CFR. Instead of turning back, pilot circled below overcast and called Alameda Tower for instrument clearance to climb through the overcast which was granted. Aircraft commenced climb through overcast, an approximately five minutes later, crashed on hillside at a point eight-hundred-fifty feet above sea level and about three and one-half miles northwest of Alcatraz Island (position 37-51N 122-30W). Estimated course at time of crash was one-hundred-seventy degrees. Survivors stated that severe turbulence and downdrafts were encountered after climb into overcast was begun. Interphone conversation heard between the pilots was "We better take a heading of 210" and a short time later, "Watch your airspeed"." After the latter statement the plane was felt to nose over sharply and almost immediately crashed. A survivor stated that after Alcatraz island the aircraft was in solid overcast and he did not see the ground again until an instant before the crash. He doubts the pilot had visual contact with the ground before impact. It has been determined that the port wing tip struck the side of a hill, causing this wing to be torn off and catapulting the plane down the hill to the left where it crashed. Depth charges did not detonate, all were thrown clear. "Strike" Crew: Pilot Lt(jg) Robert Moment USNR/Killed, Lt Cmdr Norman Woodrow White USN/Killed, Lt(jg) John Leonard Hart A-1 USNR/Killed, Ens Carlton C. Truii, Jr. A-V(N) USNR/Killed, Rm1c Frank P. Zappacosta USNR/Killed, Rm2c William T. Ford USNR/Killed, Rm3c Johnnie S. Owens USNR/Killed, Amm1c Frank H. Spofford USNR/Killed, Amf3c Lee F. Ibeili USN/Killed, Amm1c Harold R. Dole USNR/Seriously Inj, and Aom3c Henri C. Tondreault USNR/Seriously inj. Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [18AUG2001]

MISHAPs: 05 AUG 42 A/C: PBO-1 Location: Unknown Strike: Yes BUNO: O3843 Cause: 4/MISSING Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net [17MAR98]

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