1945 — July 18, USN PB4Y-2 Privateer missing, training flight, out of NAS Miami, FL–15-17

Last edit Dec 1, 2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

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

–17  Forgotten Props, Warbirds Resource Group Site. “Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer.”

–15  Aviation Archaeology Investigation & Research. “PB4Y USN Aircraft Airframe History List.”

–15  Port Arthur News, TX.  “15 Men Feared Lost on Missing Navy Bomber.” 7-20-1945, p. 7.

–15  VPNavy.org. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. “VP-4 Mishap…1940’s” 

Blanchard note: We employ a death-toll range of 15-17 deaths based on usually reliable sources. Joseph Baugher, who notes 17 deaths, is a generally reliable source. VPNavy.org, which notes 15 deaths, is also a generally reliable source.

Narrative Information

Aviation Archaeology Investigation & Research: “59642 PB4Y-2….Missing….FL, Nas Miami, at sea off….took off from NAS Miami, navigation flight, last reported position 24-47N X 74-38W, plane & (15-missing), Loss date 18 Jul 1945; Stricken 31 JUL 1945.” (AAIR. “PB4Y USN Aircraft Airframe History List.”)

Baugher: “Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer….59642 (VB-4) went missing on training flight out of NAS Miami, FL Jul 18, 1945. 17 crew missing.”  (Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (50360 to 60009). 10-27-2011 revision.)

Forgotten Props, Warbirds Resource Group Site. Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer/Bu. 59642:

“(VPB-4) went missing on training flight out of NAS Miami, FL Jul 18, 1945. 17 crew missing.”

VPNavy.org: “18 JUL 45 A/C: PB4Y-2…. Location: NAS Miami Strike: No BUNO: 59642 Cause: Navigation training. Take-off was from Master Field, Nas Miami, Fl., at 0026, with an ETA of 1026 at Master Field.  Routine position reports were received at Nas Miami from subject aircraft at 0110, 0210, and 0255; the last 0255 report giving planes position as 24-47N X 74-38W; this was the last message received by this station.

Two Nas Miami PB4Y aircraft who were both on 10hr flights and were apparently in the same area stated that visibility and overall weather was good. Flight was base (Miami) to 25-55N X 76W to 21-09N X 69-50W to 22-04N X 69-10W to 25-50N X 76W to base. Extensive search was conducted with negative results. “Strike” Crew, passengers and plane missing:

Pilot Lt. C. M. Bailey USNR,

Ens. P. E. Mattingly A-V(N) USNR,

Ens. F. W. Takkunrn A-V(N) USNR,

Lt(jg) R. H. Bower A-V(N) USNR,

AMM2c M. J. Meola USNR,

ARM2c Carl Clifton Harlan USNR,

AMM2c C. S. McGowan USNR,

ARM3c D. G. McLaughlin USNR,

AOM2c F. M. Carroza USNR,

AOM3c D. R. Strong USNR,

ARM3c P. Kreple USN,

ARM1c D. Bradley USNR, and

3/missing. [totals 15]

(VPNavy.org.  U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons.  “VP-4 Mishap…1940’s”)

Newspaper

July 20: “Miami, Fla., July 20 (INS). – Fifteen men were believed lost on a four-engined PB-4-Y2 Navy plane which failed to return to its Miami base after a training flight, the Miami Naval Air station announced today.

“Surface craft and aircraft of the U. S. Navy and of Britain Navy units stationed in the Bahamas took part in a prolonged and extensive search over the Atlantic ocean east of Miami after the plane was listed as missing.

“At the controls was Lt. Cullen William Bailey, USNR.  His mother, Mrs. Georgia Bailey of New York City, was visiting in Miami Beach at the time. Others aboard the plane included Donald Bradly, S-1C, Dallas, Tex.  The plane was a Privateer which is the Navy’s single-tailed version of the Army’s Liberator.” (Port Arthur News, TX. “15 Men Feared Lost on Missing Navy Bomber.” 7-20-1945, 7.)

Sources

Aviation Archaeology Investigation & Research. “PB4Y USN Aircraft Airframe History List.” Accessed 11-29-2011 at: http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/USN/PB4Y.htm

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

Forgotten Props, Warbirds Resource Group Site. Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer. “Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer/Bu. 59642. Accessed 12-1-2023 at: http://www.forgottenprops.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/pb4y-privateer.html

Port Arthur News, TX. “15 Men Feared Lost on Missing Navy Bomber.” 7-20-1945, 7. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=43348106

VPNavy.org. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. “VP-197 Mishap, 1940’s.” Accessed 12-4-2011 at:   http://www.vpnavy.org/vp197_mishap.html