What happened
The aircraft was operating a cargo mission when it departed from the Casco Grove Coast Guard Station. The payload included 1,350 gallons of fuel stored in drums along with four bombs. Shortly after lifting off, while still at a low altitude of only a few meters, the seaplane encountered a strong gust of wind originating from the right side. This lateral force destabilized the aircraft, causing it to lose altitude rapidly and impact the water surface. Despite the crash, all occupants successfully evacuated the cabin. One member of the crew sustained minor injuries during the incident. The wreckage sank to a depth of 30 meters approximately 18 minutes after the initial impact.
Findings
Military authorities noted that weather conditions were severe at the time of the accident, with strong winds and rough sea states. It was recorded that four other aircraft managed to depart from the same location prior to this incident, though they also experienced significant difficulty during their takeoffs.