1949 — Aug 31, US Navy Martin Mariner PBM-5 takeoff crash, off NAS San Diego, CA–10

–10 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (80259 to 90019). 4-13-2023 rev.
–10 Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives. Crash of PBM Mariner off No. Island NAS: 10 killed.
–10 Daily Review, Hayward, CA. “Navy Plane Crashes.” 8-31-1949, p. 2.
–10 Long Beach Independent, CA. “Identify 10 Crash Dead.” 9-2-1949, p. 16.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Martin PBM-5 Mariner….84770 (VP-46) wing hit water after takeoff Aug 31, 1949, NAS San Diego, CA. 10 crew killed.” (Baugher. US Navy and Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (80259 to 90019). 4-13-2023 revision.)

Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives:
“Date & Time: Aug 31, 1949
“Type of aircraft: Martin PBM Mariner
“Operator: US Navy
“Registration: 84770
“Flight Phase: Takeoff (climb)
“Flight Type: Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
“Survivors: No
“Site: …Ocean…
“Location: North Island-Halsey Field NAS (San Diego), California
….
“Crew on board: 10
“Crew fatalities: 10
….
“Circumstances: The crew was apparently involved in a maritime patrol flight from North
Island-Halsey Field NAS, San Diego. Shortly after takeoff, the seaplane encountered strong winds, causing a wing to drop and hit the water surface. The aircraft went out of control and crashed, killing all ten crew members.”

Newspapers

Aug 31, United Press: “San Diego (UP) – A giant Navy PBM Martin Mariner flying boat crashed and sank two miles west of North Island today and the crew of 10 were all believed to be dead, the 11th Naval District reported.” (Daily Review, Hayward, CA. “Navy Plane Crashes.” 8-31-1949, p. 2.)

Sep 2, International News Service: “San Diego – (INS). Deep-sea divers continued to probe the wreckage of a huge patrol bomber Thursday for additional bodies as the navy announced the names of 10 men killed when the plane crashed at the mouth of San Diego Harbor Wednesday. Bodies of three of the victims aboard the PBM Martin Mariner patrol plane had been recovered and more, were expected to be located soon. The four officers and six enlisted men who died in the crash were identified by the 11th Naval District as:

Lt. Martin H. T. Morgan, 29, chief pilot, Coronado, Calif.
Ensign Walter L. Brown, 21, second pilot, Jacksonville, Fla.
Ensign Marshall J. Barry, 22, Altadena, Calif.
Lt. (jg) James W. Wettengeld (or Wettengel [Hoffman]), 23, Milwaukee.
Johnny J. Boyd, 19, airman, Hamlin, Texas.
Harry W. Sweezey, aviation mchn 3/c, 34, Sangres, Mass.
Donald A. Sletten, 23, aviation ordin. 1/c, Washington, D. C.
Ray W. Lavender, 23, Electra, Texas.
Dwayne D. Hull, 2Q, airman, Montebello, Calif.
Chief Machn. Mate George Olliver, 30, Akron, Ohio.”

(Long Beach Independent, CA. “Identify 10 Crash Dead.” 9-2-1949, p. 16.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph. US Navy and Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (80259 to 90019). 4-13-2023 revision. Accessed 7-1-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries9.html

Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives. Crash of a Martin PBM-5S Mariner off North Island NAS: 10 killed. Accessed 7-1-2023 at:
https://www.baaa-acro.com/index.php/crash/crash-martin-pbm-5s-mariner-north-island-nas-10-killed

Daily Review, Hayward, CA. “Navy Plane Crashes.” 8-31-1949, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=47013079

Long Beach Independent, CA. “Identify 10 Crash Dead.” 9-2-1949, p. 16. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=45633361