Martin PBM Mariner accident at Atlantic Ocean, World, 3 Jun 1942 (1250)
On June 3, 1942, a Martin PBM Mariner (registration 1250) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Atlantic Ocean, World in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed that the airplane was caught by downdraft at approximately 37° 31' N and 67° W. 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.
Probable cause
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed that the airplane was caught by downdraft at approximately 37° 31' N and 67° W.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The crew was engaged in a SAR mission after the British steamer 'Westmoreland' sunk by the German U-Boat U-566. While flying at low altitude, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances some 100 km off Hamilton, Bermuda. No trace of the aircraft nor the 13 crew members was ever found. Crew: Ens John Herbert Cushman, pilot, Ens Wilson Beaumont Trapp, Ens Alton Wood Davis, Mach Anthony Javonovich, Amm1c Harvey Peterson, Em1c Edward William Leidy, Amm2c George William Eddy Jr., Arm2c David Griffith Stone, Arm3c Hugh Milton Grantham, Aom3c Thomas Edward McMillan, Amm3c William F. Marshall, Amm3c Richard Lyle Amburn, Amm3c Walter Louis Kuhlman.
Probable cause (official findings): Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed that the airplane was caught by downdraft at approximately 37° 31' N and 67° W.