No fatalities

Aircraft bounces on water and sinks after takeoff in East Arm (A24-1)

Darwin, AustraliaTakeoff (climb)

On August 30, 1945, a Consolidated PBY Catalina (registration A24-1) operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF was involved in an aviation accident near Darwin, Australia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Insufficient flying speed during takeoff caused the aircraft to strike the water repeatedly and eventually sink due to hull damage. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-25Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck the water multiple times during takeoff due to insufficient speed, eventually sinking near mangroves in East Arm. There were no casualties, but the airframe was written off.

What happened

During the initial climb following takeoff, the aircraft failed to achieve adequate flying speed. As a result, it struck the water surface several times, experiencing severe bounces on each impact. The sequence of events concluded when the machine came to rest adjacent to the mangroves located in the south-eastern portion of East Arm. Following this incident, the vessel sank due to hull damage sustained during the contact with the water.

Findings

The investigation noted that there were no casualties associated with this event. However, the structural integrity of the airframe was compromised by the impact, leading to its total loss. The aircraft was officially written off as a result of the damaged hull.

Probable cause

Insufficient flying speed during takeoff caused the aircraft to strike the water repeatedly and eventually sink due to hull damage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Aug 1945 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident near Darwin, Australia?

An aircraft struck the water multiple times during takeoff due to insufficient speed, eventually sinking near mangroves in East Arm. There were no casualties, but the airframe was written off.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Aug 1945 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Aug 1945 involved a Consolidated PBY Catalina, registration A24-1, operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, at Darwin, Australia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Insufficient flying speed during takeoff caused the aircraft to strike the water repeatedly and eventually sink due to hull damage.