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Catalina Flying Boat Incident During Transatlantic Celebration (C-FOWE)

Plymouth, United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On May 31, 1986, a Consolidated PBY Catalina (registration C-FOWE) operated by Jonathan Seagull Holdings was involved in an aviation accident near Plymouth, United Kingdom during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A Catalina flying boat crashed into a buoy during a landing demonstration, suffering wing and float damage. The crew was rescued, and one member was hospitalized with a leg injury. The aircraft was later repaired and flew again.

Incident

On the morning of a celebration marking the first transatlantic flight by a Curtis NC-4 aircraft in 1917, two Catalina flying boats arrived. The first landed without any problems. However, the second Catalina veered off its landing course and struck a temporary buoy. It then collided with a heavy permanent navigational buoy, which ripped off part of a wing and one of its floats. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel out of control, performing a spectacular 'surface loop'.

Rescue and Aftermath

Despite the damage, the Catalina remained afloat. People from the welcoming party's boats rescued those on board. One crew member was taken to a hospital with a gashed leg. The sinking aircraft was kept afloat and towed to the nearby former RAF flying boat base at Mount Batten. There, it was placed in one of the old 'Sunderland' hangars and underwent repairs for several months. Eventually, the aircraft flew out of Plymouth Hoe on the return leg of the transatlantic flight towards the end of the year.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 May 1986 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident near Plymouth, United Kingdom?

A Catalina flying boat crashed into a buoy during a landing demonstration, suffering wing and float damage. The crew was rescued, and one member was hospitalized with a leg injury. The aircraft was later repaired and flew again.

Were there any fatalities in the 31 May 1986 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 May 1986 involved a Consolidated PBY Catalina, registration C-FOWE, operated by Jonathan Seagull Holdings, at Plymouth, United Kingdom.

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