What happened
The seaplane departed North Island-Halsey Field Naval Air Station on a mission to Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station in Hawaii. It was flying as part of a group that included two other aircraft. During the flight, weather conditions worsened significantly, causing the crew to lose contact with the rest of the formation. The final radio transmission occurred at 0200 local time, during which the pilot reported being at an altitude of 7,000 feet while operating on instruments and reducing altitude.
Because the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, it was declared missing, and search and rescue operations were immediately launched. Despite these efforts, no wreckage or remains of the crew were ever recovered. The incident resulted in the loss of all personnel on board, totaling seven fatalities.
Findings
The official investigation concluded that the exact cause of the disappearance remained undetermined. However, several potential factors were identified as possibilities. One theory suggested that structural failure could have occurred due to high winds and strong vertical air currents associated with the storm, potentially causing the aircraft to crash into the water.
Another possibility involved an in-flight explosion caused by the accidental ignition of high-octane gasoline vapors. These vapors may have been present due to fuel transfer from hull tanks to wing tanks. Ignition could have resulted from a static spark, another accidental electrical source, or lightning. Witnesses on one of the accompanying aircraft reported seeing a large red flash in the clouds that appeared localized like lightning.