1941 — Nov 2, USN PBM-1 Mariner “Flying Boat” crashes, mt. side ~Krysuvik, Iceland–12

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 9-22-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–12  Baugher.  US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Second Series (0001 to 5029). 9-26-2011

–12  Hoffman, Richard Alden. The Fighting Flying Boat.  2004, p. 199.

–12  Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH. “Type…Navy Plane…Carried 12 to Death.” 11-5-1941, 1

–12  VPNavy.org.  U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons.  “VP-74 Mishap.”

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Martin PBM-1 Mariner 1248 (VP-74) crashed into mountain side and burned at about 800 feet near Krisuvik, Iceland Nov 2, 1941.  12 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Second Series (0001 to 5029). 9-26-2011.)

VPNavy.org: “MISHAPs: 02 NOV 41 A/C: PBM-1.  Location: Iceland…Cause:  Hit side on uninhabited mountain, near Krisuvik, Iceland…. 

Aircraft Accident Card #3454

Aircraft: PBM-3D BUNO: 1248
Squadron VP-74
Date: 2 Nov 41 (1520)
Location: Iceland

Type: PBM plane #1248, at an altitude of about 800-ft, crashed and burned on a barren, rocky, and uninhabited mountain side during a period of reduced visibility. The plane crashed as a result of insufficient and unreliable aids to aerial navigation, under instrument conditions. The pilot maintained his course in the assumption that it was a safe course based upon the radio-direction-finder bearing he obtained on Reykjanes Point which bearing were inaccurate. There was no damage to private property. The classified publications and materials carried on the plane and not recovered were burned and destroyed beyond recognition as a result of the crash.

All personnel killed:

Pilot ENS C. M. Thornquist, AV-N USNR
ENS Carl Balek, AV-N USNR
2 LT. William P. Robinson, US Army
AMM1 Walter V. Garrison, USN
ARM1 Oran C. Knehr, USN
AMM1 Vern H. Anderson, USN
S2 M. Ground, USN
S2 E. L. Cooper, USN
AMM1 Coy M. Weems (NAP)
ARM2 Joseph S. Wanek, USN
AMM3 Andrew R. Brazille, USN
AOM3 W. Gordon Payne, USN.”

(VPNavy.org.  U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons.  “VP-74 Mishap.”)      

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Second Series (0001 to 5029). Sep 26, 2011 revision. Accessed at:  http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/secondseries1.html

Hoffman, Richard Alden. The Fighting Flying Boat: A History of the Martin PBM Mariner.  Annapolis, MD:  Naval Institute Press,  2004. Partially digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=nCGF2rnDif8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH. “Type of Navy Plane Which Carried 12 to Death.” 11-5-1941, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=5527702

VPNavy.org. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. “VP-74 Mishap.” Accessed 11-11-2011 at:  http://www.vpnavy.com/vp74_mishap.html