On September 25, 1942, a Consolidated PBY Catalina (registration FP119) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Cadiz, Spain in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control due to thunderstorm activity and turbulence. 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.
A seaplane crashed into the sea off Cadiz while returning from a maritime patrol flight after encountering severe weather, resulting in the deaths of all ten occupants on board.
What happened
The aircraft was operating out of Gibraltar on a routine maritime patrol mission. During the return leg to base, the crew flew along the Spanish coast when they encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions. The flight path was affected by active thunderstorms and significant turbulence. As the weather intensified, the seaplane lost control and subsequently impacted the water surface off Cadiz. All 10 occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the accident.
Findings
The official investigation attributed the loss of the aircraft to the crew's inability to maintain control while navigating through a thunderstorm. The severe turbulence associated with the storm activity was identified as the primary environmental factor leading to the crash.
Probable cause
Loss of control due to thunderstorm activity and turbulence
What happened in the 25 Sept 1942 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident near Cadiz, Spain?
A seaplane crashed into the sea off Cadiz while returning from a maritime patrol flight after encountering severe weather, resulting in the deaths of all ten occupants on board.
Were there any fatalities in the 25 Sept 1942 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 10 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 25 Sept 1942 involved a Consolidated PBY Catalina, registration FP119, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Cadiz, Spain.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Loss of control due to thunderstorm activity and turbulence
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…