FORCED LANDING OF A PBY-5A CATALINA
AT SEA OFF AUSTRALIA,
ASSUMED TO BE WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ON 13 DECEMBER 1942

On 13 December 1942, US Navy PBY-5A Catalina, BUNO #02966 was on routine patrol when the port engine developed an oil leak. The pilot continued on patrol and about two hours later the engine blew a cylinder. The pilot was unable to hold altitude with one engine and was forced to land in open sea. The aircraft sank one hundred and three hours later after having been in tow by USS HERON for 67 hours.

The crew were uninjured as follows:-

Pilot Lt(jg). T. R. Clark
CAP. C. Ballauf
AMM1c. J. R. Barnes
RM3c. R. S. Depee
RM1c. R. H. Paul
RM2c.H. R. Commons
Flt/Lt.John Griffin Money (RAAF)
Sgt.Comerford (RAAF).

Does anyone know the location of the incident?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Terence Geary and Greg Shea for their assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 8 July 2007

This page last updated 03 February 2020