What happened
The incident involved a Navy PBY-5A conducting baseline runs to calibrate new LORAN stations in Alaska. While attempting to enter Unalaska Bay for a landing at Dutch Harbor, the crew encountered low visibility and rain. The pilot made landfall in a bay that was not immediately recognized. Fearing that a turn would lead to a collision with a mountainside, the decision was made to proceed with a water landing in that location.
After preparing the aircraft, the pilot executed what appeared to be a normal landing approach. However, the crew was unaware of the significant height of the ground swells, which were approximately five feet high. Immediately upon contacting the water, the aircraft nosed into a swell and broke apart at the pilot's compartment. The wing detached, and the fuselage filled with water before sinking.
Findings
The accident resulted in three fatalities, including Ensign Charles E. Johnson and two other Navy crewmen. Ten other individuals aboard, including the pilot, sustained injuries but survived. The primary contributing factor was the unexpected impact with high ground swells during the water landing, which caused structural failure of the aircraft.