1954-09-28: Martin P5M-2 Marlin (127697) — United States Navy - USN — Sangley Point AFB (Manila), Philippines

12 fatalitiesSangley Point AFB (Manila), PhilippinesTakeoff (climb)

A seaplane crashed during takeoff from a bay near Sangley Point Air Force Base, resulting in the deaths of all 12 people on board.

What happened

During an attempt to depart from the waters adjacent to Sangley Point Air Force Base, a seaplane experienced a loss of control. The aircraft crashed shortly after beginning its takeoff sequence. There were no survivors in the accident, as all 12 crew members perished in the impact.

Findings

Several environmental and technical factors contributed to the loss of control during the departure phase. At the time of the incident, the area was experiencing poor visibility caused by adverse weather conditions. Additionally, reports indicated that the local lighting system was non-functional at the time of the crash.

Probable cause

The accident was driven by a combination of low visibility due to bad weather and malfunctioning airfield lighting during takeoff.