1942 — Aug 19, USN PBY hits tugboat on takeoff, Coco Solo Navy Base, Panama Ca. Zone–14

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-5-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–14  Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (00001 to 10316). 9-21-2011

            –8  PBY “Pilot and 7 killed…”

            –6  Tug

–14  VPNavy.com. “U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. BP-33 Mishaps…1940’s.”

            –8  USN PBY-6

            –6  Tugboat Alhajucla

–13  Aviation Safety Network. USN Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina, 19Aug42, Canal Zone.

            –7  USN PBY-5 Catalina

            –6  Tugboat

–12  Albuquerque Journal, NM. “12 Killed When Navy Plane Crashes into Tug.” 8-20-1942, 1.

            –8  USN PBY             –4  Tug

–12  San Mateo Times, CA.  “Navy Plane Crashes at Canal, 8 Killed.”  8-19-1942, p. 1.

Narrative Information

 Baugher: “04474 (VP-33) hit Panama Canal tug on takeoff 8/19/1942 Coco Solo, Manzanillo Bay, Canal Zone.  Pilot and 7 killed, 6 killed on tug.”  (Baugher. 9-21-2011.)

VPNavy.com. “U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. BP-33 Mishaps…1940’s.”

“Mishaps: 19 AUG 42 A/C: PBY-5. Location: Manzanillo Bay, NAS Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone.  

“Strike: Yes BUNO: 04474 CAUSE: Crashed on take-off in collision with Panama Canal Tug “ALHAJUCLA” At time plane began take-off run, the tug was approaching the take-off area in position approximately 322deg, 2100yds distant from plane. Plane began take-off run proceeding in a direction approximately 335deg True. Plane running lights were bright; Tugs lights were dimmed in accordance with blackout regulations. Tug continued on its course at full speed ahead until collision occurred. Plane at time of collision was either airborne or nearly so. Nose of plane was at least 15.5-ft above water at time it struck tug. Bow of plane stuck vicinity of deckhouse, starboard bulkhead of pilot house of tug. Port engine was torn loose and sunk. Port wing struck mainmast of tug, bending it to port. Gasoline from fuel tanks of plane was thrown over tug and set it instant fire to tug and portions of plane remaining on tug. Damage: Plane demolished.

“Plane crew:  [We place names into single lines.]

Pilot. Machinist. Raymond Edward Jordan/Killed,

Ens. Miller Hugo Piberg/Killed,

Ens. Harry Harrison Ford,Jr/Killed,

Ens. Alfred Curtis,Jr/Killed,

Amm2c. Joseph Cornelius Rowinsky/Killed,

Rm3c. Mack Cecil Kelson/Killed,

Sea2c. Langley Anton Willis/Killed,

Sea2c .Charles Yohn/Killed, and

AP1c. Bergon Frank Brokaw/Seriously inj.

“Tug Crew:

William Herbert Nesbitt (QM,ret)/Killed,

William H. Tredick (Panama Canal Pilot)/Killed,

Charles C. Sayers (oiler)/Killed,

Oswego Newball (boastswain)/Killed,

Harold L. Stevenson (chief engineer)/Killed,

Fritz S. Jules (engineer room helper)/Killed,

Jishua R. Buntin (seaman)/Minor inj,

Charles Ben (boatswain)/Minor inj,

James W. Turner (seaman)/Minor inj,

William E. Lee (cook)/Minor inj, and

Jose Guitierez (seaman)/Minor inj.”

Newspapers

Aug 19, UP: “Balboa, C.Z., Aug. 19. – (UP) — A PBY navy patrol plane crashed into a Panama canal tug in Cristobal harbor while taking off today, killing eight of the 10-man crew of the plane and four aboard the tug, the commandant of the fifteenth naval district announced.”  (San Mateo Times, CA.  “Navy Plane Crashes at Canal, 8 Killed.”  8-19-1942, p. 1.)

Aug 20, AP: “Coco Solo Naval Base, Panama Canal Zone, Aug. 19 (AP) – Naval authorities reported Wednesday night eight members of the 10-man crew were killed when their PBY patrol bomber crashed into the Panama Canal tug boat Alajuela. Four members of the tug’s crew also were reported killed. Authorities said the accident occurred at dawn, apparently when the plane was making a take-off run near Coco Solo…[unclear]. They said the body of the plane crushed the tug’s wheelhouse, killing the skipper, William Nebitt, formerly of Spring Lake, ,N. J., and Pilot William Tredick, formerly of Haddonfield, N. J.”  (Albuquerque Journal, NM. “12 Killed When Navy Plane Crashes into Tug.” 8-20-1942, 1.)

Sources

Albuquerque Journal, NM.  “12 Killed When Navy Plane Crashes into Tug.” 8-20-1942, p. 1.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=54276763

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1942. USN Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina, 19Aug42, Canal Zone. Accessed 6-5-2024 at: https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/341361

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (00001 to 10316). March 10, 2013 revision.  Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries1.html

San Mateo Times, CA. “Navy Plane Crashes at Canal, 8 Killed.”  8-19-1942, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=47795522

VPNavy.com. “U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. BP-33 Mishaps…1940’s.” Accessed 6-5-2024 at: https://www.vpnavy.com/vp33_mishap.html