1947 – Feb 22, USCG PBM-5 Mariner plane crash in Mexico on way back to San Diego–10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard 10-15-2023 for upload to: https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 10  Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359).  8-7-2011 

— 10  USCG. “Coast Guard Roll of Honor: Aviators & Aircrews That Did Not Return…” 2011.

Narrative Information

United States Coast Guard:
“Date of incident: 22 February 1947

“Crash related deaths:
LTJG Emerson W. Miles (CG Aviator #231)
AP1 Fabian J. Kestell
AMM2 Eugene A. Widener
ARM1 Winford C. Williams
AOM3 Quell V. Buchanan
AerM1 R. Merrill J. Murphy
AOM1 John G. Steuer
AMM1 George R. A. Tracy
ARM1 Robert G. Peshek
Mr. Gabe C. Leavitt (Civilian)

“Air Station the aircraft and/or crew were assigned to:       AIRSTA [Air Station] San Diego, CA

“Aircraft type and Coast Guard tail number…:                  Martin PBM-5G Mariner, 45435

“Location of the incident:  Mexico

“Description of the incident: The crew was flying back to CGAS San Diego in a heavy fog after completing a 1,400 mile ‘mercy’ flight. All but two of the entire crew perished when the PBM-5 crashed due to ‘adverse weather, low visibility and low ceiling’.” (USCG. “Coast Guard Roll of Honor: Aviators & Aircrews That Did Not Return…” 2011.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359). 8-7-2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries5.html

United States Coast Guard. “Coast Guard Roll of Honor: Aviators & Aircrews That Did Not Return…”  2-22-2011 modification. At: http://www.uscg.mil/history/AviationCasualties.asp