On March 27, 1949, a Consolidated PBY Catalina (registration 64028) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Pacific Ocean, World in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from an unexpected in-flight situation that forced an emergency water landing, followed by the destruction of the aircraft due to external gunfire. 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 Catalina aircraft made an emergency landing in the ocean southwest of Johnston Atoll after encountering unexpected conditions en route from Kwajalein. The crew was rescued nine hours later, but the aircraft was subsequently destroyed by gunfire and sank.
What happened
While flying en route from Kwajalein to Johnston Atoll, the flight crew encountered an unexpected operational situation that necessitated immediate action. The captain determined that continuing the flight was no longer viable and elected to execute an emergency landing in the ocean. This water landing occurred approximately 608 miles southwest of Johnston Atoll.
Following the ditching, the aircraft remained afloat for a period before its condition deteriorated. The crew survived the initial impact and waited for assistance. Rescue teams located the survivors nine hours after the emergency landing. During this interval, or shortly thereafter, the Catalina was hit by gunfire. The damage sustained from the fire caused the aircraft to sink completely.
Probable cause
The accident resulted from an unexpected in-flight situation that forced an emergency water landing, followed by the destruction of the aircraft due to external gunfire.
What happened in the 27 Mar 1949 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident near Pacific Ocean, World?
A Catalina aircraft made an emergency landing in the ocean southwest of Johnston Atoll after encountering unexpected conditions en route from Kwajalein. The crew was rescued nine hours later, but the aircraft was subsequently destroyed by gunfire and sank.
Were there any fatalities in the 27 Mar 1949 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Mar 1949 involved a Consolidated PBY Catalina, registration 64028, operated by United States Navy - USN, at Pacific Ocean, World.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The accident resulted from an unexpected in-flight situation that forced an emergency water landing, followed by the destruction of the aircraft due to external gunfire.
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…