1946 — May 10, two USN PB4Y-2 bombers collide when “attacked” in exercise ~Munson, FL–all 28

Latest edit 11-7-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–28  Aviation Safety Network. Two Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateers collide, FL, 5-10-1946.

            –14  No. 59437

            –14  No. 59721

–28  Gero. Military Aviation Disasters:  Significant Losses Since 1908.  1999, 39.

–28  Port Arthur News, TX.  “`Accident’ is Blamed for Crash Fatal to 28 Fliers.” 5-11-1946, 1.

–23  Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (50360 to 60009). 10-27-2011 rev.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer….59437 (VB-4) in midair collision with 59721 while in formation over Munson, FL May 10, 1946.  13 on 59437 killed.” 

“59721 (VB-4) in midair collision with 59437 while in formation over Munson, FL May 10, 1946.  10 crew on 59721 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (50360 to 60009). 10-27-2011 rev.)

Gero:

“Date:              10 May 1946 (time unknown)

“Location:       Near Munson, Florida, US

“First aircraft

“Operator:       US Navy

“Type:             Consolidated Vultee PB4Y-2 Privateer (59721)

“Second aircraft

“Operator:       US Navy

“Type:             Consolidated Vultee PB4Y-2 Privateer

“The two four-engine patrol bombers collided in mid-air and crashed in flames 35 miles (55km) north-east of Pensacola, killing all 28 military personnel aboard both aircraft. At the time, the two aircraft directly involved had been engaged in maneuvers with a Grumman F-6F Hellcat fighter, which was making practice dives on them, and during a turn, one PBY4 struck the lead aircraft.”  (Gero 1999, 39)

Newspaper

May 11: “Munson, Ala. [Fla.] May 1 (UP). — Twenty-eight Navy airmen died in the flaming wreckage of two four-engined bombers when attacked by a Hellcat fighter while on a training maneuver, the Navy announced today. The planes were engaged in a “fighter familiarization” phase of the flight training program when the accident occurred Friday, a statement from the Pensacola naval air station, where the planes were based, said….

“The maneuver in which the planes were flying, called for the F6F to dive on the big PB4Y bombers, the Navy said.  What happened then was described by the Navy in the terse wording of this official statement: ‘The F6F dove at the PBY’s. The bombers attempted to outmaneuver the fighter and went into a turn. In the process of the turn the PBY which was flying wing position collided with the lead plane. One engine of the lead plane was knocked out. That plane immediately went into a spin and crashed. The other plane flew straight and level for a short time and also went into a spin and crashed.”

“The Navy said that the fighter pilot notified Whiting field tower by radio immediately to give details of the accident.” (Port Arthur News, TX. “`Accident’ is Blamed for Crash Fatal to 28 Fliers.” 5-11-1946, 1.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1946, p. 13. Two Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateers collide, north of Munson, FL, 5-10-1946. Accessed 11-7-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/27908

Baugher, Joseph F.  US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (50360 to 60009). Oct 27, 2011 revision. Accessed at:  http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries6.html

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.

Port Arthur News, TX. “`Accident’ is Blamed for Crash Fatal to 28 Fliers.” 5-11-1946, 1. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=43397409