Incident
During a night approach to Barbers Point Naval Air Station (NAS), the pilot-in-command decided to perform a go-around for an unknown reason. The pilot completed a turn to the left, and the aircraft subsequently struck the slope of Mount Pu'u Kaua, which is located northwest of the Naval Air Station and has an elevation of 3,127 feet. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and all eight crew members were killed.
Crew
The crew consisted of:
- Lt Walter J. Hanzo Jr., pilot
- Ens Gerald Martin Hazlett, copilot
- Ens Wilbur D. Cooper
- Adc John Robert Staples
- Ad2 Joseph Daniel Beczek
- Am2 Paul Martin Kohler
- At2 Joseph Michael Maksymon
- At3 Richard Knuton Brown
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the probable cause was the failure of the pilot to follow the published procedure while turning to the left during an attempt to go around, instead of turning to the right over the ocean to avoid any obstacle. Reduced visibility caused by night was cited as a contributory factor.