3 fatalities

Aircraft Crash Following Landing Overshoot (48280)

Luganville, VanuatuLanding (descent or approach)

On May 12, 1944, a Consolidated PBY Catalina (registration 48280) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Luganville, Vanuatu during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. 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 overshot the runway during landing, struck an obstacle, and crashed. The incident resulted in three fatalities among the crew and injuries to all six other occupants.

What happened

During the landing phase of flight, the aircraft failed to stop within the available runway length and overshot the end of the strip. As a result of this overrun, the airframe collided with an obstacle located beyond the runway boundary. The impact caused the aircraft to crash, leading to significant structural damage.

The accident resulted in three fatalities, all of whom were members of the flight crew. In addition to the loss of life, all six other individuals on board sustained injuries during the event. No specific registration number or aircraft model is provided in the available source material for this incident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 May 1944 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident near Luganville, Vanuatu?

An aircraft overshot the runway during landing, struck an obstacle, and crashed. The incident resulted in three fatalities among the crew and injuries to all six other occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 May 1944 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 May 1944 involved a Consolidated PBY Catalina, registration 48280, operated by United States Navy - USN, at Luganville, Vanuatu.