U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION NA34/A12 KODIAK, ALASKA 95:BRL:mah 0807 JUL 9 1946 From: Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska. To: Chief of Naval Operations (History Unit, Op-33-J-6, Office of Historical Research). Subj: History of NAS Kodiak, Alaska; submission of 2 September 1945 to 1 January 1946, supplement to. Refs: (a) Manual for Historical Officers, NavAer OO-25Q-26. (b) Aviation Circular Letter 71-46, serial 102-p-519, dated 30 April 1946. Encl: (A) History of NAS Kodiak, Alaska; supplement from 2 September 1945 to 1 January 1946 (2 copies). 1. In accordance with reference (a), and (b), enclosure (A) is sub- mitted herewith. R. C. SUTLIFF cc: Com17 (w/encl) HISTORY OF U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA IN THREE PARTS 1. Chronology 2. Narrative 3. Appendices Four copies submitted 1 July 1946 at U. S. Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska Copies 1 & 2 to Historical Unit Op-33-J-6 Office of Editorial Research Copy 3 to Com17, Kodiak, Alaska. Copy 4 to N.A.S., Kodiak, Alaska HISTORY OF U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 1. Chronology 2. Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station (a) Name and Rank Raymond R. Lyons, Captain, USN (b) Dates of Command 30 August 1945 to present date. (c) Home Town Captain Raymond R. Lyons, USN - Honolulu, T. H. HISTORY OF U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 2. NARRATIVE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES _____________________ On 3 October, Lieut. Comdr. George Richard Smith, USN, piloting a PBY-5A, Bureau Number 48386, took off from Cold Bay, Alaska, carrying a full crew and nine passengers, for Kodiak. On attempting a landing, the PBY-5A crashed at the foot of Old Woman's Mountain. Of the fifteen occupants, five officers and three enlisted men were killed in the crash. The rest were seriously injured. (See appendix A-98) Headquarters of the SEVENTEENTH Naval District were moved from Adak, Alaska, to Kodiak, Alaska, on 5 October. Rear Admiral Ralph Wood, Command- ant of the District, came aboard with fifty-six officers attached to his staff. On 15 October a message was received from the Captain of the S. S. Cordova stating a Navy chief, a passenger on board, was seriously ill and in great pain. Andrew Lenyo and Lieut. George Porter, in a PBY-5A, Bureau Number 48440, took off from NAS Kodiak to intercept the ship. On inter- ception, the two kits were dropped by parachute from the plane, one land- ing just off the port bow, and the other, just off the starboard stern. Both were recovered. Captin Ray Dowling, master of the Cordova, in app- reciation of the mercy flight, sent a letter of commendation to the pilots, via the commanding officer. On October 18, the Fleet Weather Central was established at Kodiak with twenty-two officers and seventy-eight enlisted personnel. On 30 November, PB4Y-2A, Bureau Number 59777, attached to VPB 122, piloted by Lt. JG John Edgar McMillan, took off from NAS Kodiak, Alaska, for Whidbey Island carrying a crew of eight and seventeen passengers. -1- HISTORY OF U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 1. NARRATIVE The plane was last heard from at 1747Z reporting position on the south- west leg of Yakataga, estimating the southwest leg of Sitka at 1825Z. Through the entire coasstal route from Kodiak to Whidby Island has been searched thoroughly, no trace of the plane or occupants has ever been found. (See appendix A-99) On December 18, Woodley Airways, a commercial airline serving NAS Kodiak and the town of Kodiak, officially became known as the Pacific Northern Airlines by the authority of the Civil Aeronautics Baord oper- ating under the same certified mail route. -2- HISTORY OF U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION KODIAK, ALASKA 1. APPENDICES 98. Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A, Bureau No. 48386. 99. Dispatches covering missing aircraft, PB4Y-2A, Bureau Num- ber 59777. L11-1 Serial No. 1462 c/o Fleet Post Office San Francisco, California RESTRICTED ____________ 25 October 1945 FIRST ENDORSEMENT to _________________ CO VPB-62 Rest. Ltr. Ser. 304 dated 8 Oct., 1945. From: The Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General). Via: The Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386, which resulted in the death of Lt. Comdr. George Richard SMITH, USN, (82426), Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO; Lt.(jg) John Kenneth McNEIL, (A1), USNR, (321101), Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY- TWO; Ensign Willard Edwin TOSTMAN, (A1), USNR, (414424), Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO; NAGLE, Richard Knightly, 761-66-26, ARM2c(T), V-6, USNR, Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO; Radio Electrician Jewell Franklin FLACK, USN, (377487), SEVENTEENTH Naval District; NELSON, Roy George, 553-22-07, Y2c, V-6, USNR, SEVENTEENTH Naval District; DUGGER, Keith Eugene, 860-51-27, T2c, V-6, USNR, SEVENTEENTH Naval District; and Lieut. Paul Porter BUTLER, A-V(S), USNR, (216261), enroute to report to Naval Air Training Bases, Corpus Christi, Texas; and in the injury to Lieutenant (jg) Clark Donald HOOT, (C)L, USNR, (349510), SEVENTEENTH Naval District; Lt.(jg) Francis Paul JENKINS, (C)L, USNR, (344068), SEVENTENTH Naval District; Lieut. Merideth (n) WINGERT, (A)L, USNR, (208220), enroute to report to Navy Training Unit, Tooele, Utah; James Allen HEWITT, 885-48-55, Y3c, V-6, USNR, SEVENTEENTH Naval District; CATALANO, John Joseph, 611-01-69, AMM2c, V-6, USNR, enroute to report to Receiv- ing Station, Seattle Washington; KRUMM, Omar Fredrick, 381-83-85, AM2c(T), USN, Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY- TWO; and KUNTZELMAN, Charles (n), 852-92-65, AMM2c(T), V6S, USNR, Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO. 1. Forwarded. R. G. LOCKHART A-98 Page 1 of 11 Pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386, which resulted in the death of Lt. Comdr. George Richard SMITH, USN, (82426), Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY- TWO; Lt.(jg) John Kenneth McNEIL, (A1), USNR, (321101), Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO; Ensign Willard Edwin TOSTMAN, (A1), USNR, (414424), Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY- TWO; NAGLE, Richard Knightly, 761-66-26, ARM2c(T), V-6, USNR, Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO; Radio Electrician Jewell Franklin FLACK, USN, (377487), SEVENTEENTH Naval District; NELSON, Roy George, 553-22-07, Y2c, V-6, USNR, SEVENTEENTH Naval District; DUGGER, Keith Eugene, 860-51-27, T2c, V-6, USNR, SEVENTEENTH Naval District; and Lieut. Paul Porter BUTLER, A-V(S), USNR, (216261), enroute to report to Naval Air Training Bases, Corpus Christi, Texas; and in the in- jury to Lieutenant (jg) Clark Donald HOOT, (C)L, USNR, (349510), SEVENTEENTH Naval District; Lt.(jg) Francis Paul JENKINS, (C)L, USNR, (344068), SEVENTENTH Naval District; Lieut. Merideth (n) WINGERT, (A)L, USNR, (208220), enroute to report to Navy Training Unit, Tooele, Utah; James Allen HEWITT, 885-48-55, Y3c, V-6, USNR, SEVENTEENTH Naval Dis- trict; CATALANO, John Joseph, 611-01-69, AMM2c, V-6, USNR, enroute to report to Receiving Station, Seattle Washington; KRUMM, Omar Fredrick, 381-83-85, AM2c(T), USN, Patrol Bomb- ing Squadron SIXTY-TWO; and KUNTZELMAN, Charles (n), 852-92-65, AMM2c(T), V6S, USNR, Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO. Reference: (a) NAS, Kodiak, disp 040421 of October 1945. (b) NAS, Kodiak, disp 040733 of October 1945. (c) VPB-62 dispatch 042310 of October 1945. 1. Narrative Summary of Accident: (a) At 0930, Alaskan Standard Time, 3 October 1945, Lieutenant Commander George Richard SMITH, USN, (82426) Commanding Officer, Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO, took off from Army Air Base, Cold Bay, Alaska A-98 Page 2 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial No. 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - in a PBY-5A airplane on an administrative flight carrying massengers and material to Kodiak, Alaska, for Commandant, SEVENTEENTH Naval District. No other plane accompanied him. At this time, Cold Bay had scattered clouds at 1500 - 2000 feet with higher alto-cumulus at 6000 - 7000 feet. The route forecast gave lowering ceilings to 1000 feet at Chirikof. Term- inal forecast for Kodiak gave 500-600 feet ceiling visibility 4 miles in light rain. The flight plan gave Anchorage, Alaska, as alternate air- port. The 1330 weather sequency for Anchorage gave an estimated 5000 feet overcast with lower broken clouds at 2000 feet, wind north-northwest six knots, visibility unrestricted. (b) At 1246 Lieutenant Commander SMITH contacted Kodiak Flight Control and reported his position at Black Point Intersection, cruising 3200 feet. Kodiak Flight Control cleared him to Kodiak Range Station to climb 4000 feet and notified him that the present Kodiak ceiling was 500 feet, visibility 2-1/2 miles. This message was acknowledged. At 1252 Kodiak Flight Control cleared him from his present position to Kodiak Range Station for standard instrument approach, final approach on east leg, initi- al approach at 4000 feet. He acknowledged this message and requested per- mission for needle approach. Kodiak Flight Control cleared him for needle approach. At 1317 he contacted Kodiak Tower and reported over Point ABLE (Kodiak Range Station) and requested present wind direction and velocity. Kodiak Tower reported wind east-southease 20 knots with gusts to 28. This report was acknowledged. While Lieutenant Commander SMITH was making his needle approach, Kodiak Tower reported to him that visibility was now two miles, bartow lights on runway 25, and that he would be landing with approxi- mately 20 knots downwind. This was acknowledged. The plane was first sighted by the tower operators approximately 1/4 mile north of runway 25 at an altitude of approximately 400 feet. No voice contact was made. He continued downwind on the north side of an paralleling runway 25 in an attempt to land on runway 7. The 400-500 feet ceiling and the hills back of runway 7 made this approach imposible even though he appeared to make an "S" turn in an attempt to get into position for a landing. He continued the traffic circle upwind on the south side of runway 7 for a downwind landing on runway 25. As he flew over the tower at an altitude of approxi- A-98 Page 3 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - mately 300 feet, he contacted Kodiak Tower and said, "Am going to land on runway 25 this pass." The approach turn was started too soon for a down- wind landing and the plane crossed the end of runway 25 at approximately 100 fet and came closest to the runway (estimated 0-10 feet) at approxi- mately 130 feet beyond the intersection of runways 25 and 28. The plane either bounced or was pulled up and a normal power climb was started straight ahead until the end of runway 7 was crossed at which point a steep climbing turn to the left was started. Insufficient altitude was obtained to clear the surrounding hills and the plane crashed from an apparent power on stall. 2. Finding of Facts: _________________ (a) PBY-5A airplane, bureau number 48386, crashed into the north- east slope of Old Woman Mountain, Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska, at 1331 on 3 October 1945. (b) Occupants. (1) Patrol Plane Commander of the airplane was Lieutenant Commander George Richard SMITH, USN, (82426), who was killed in the crash. As the date of death he wa attached to Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO. (2) First Pilot was Lt.(jg) John Kenneth McNEIL, (A1), USNR, (321101), who was killed in the crash. He had been on active duty for a period in excess of thirty days. At date of death he was attached to patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO. (3) Ensign Willard Edwin TOSTMAN, (A1), USNR, (414424), who was killed in the crash. He had been on active duty for a perios in excess of thirty days. At date of death he was attached to patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO. He was navigator. A-98 Page 4 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (4) NAGLE, Richard Knightly, 761-66-26, ARM2c(T), V-6, USNR, who was killed in the crash. He had been on ac- tive duty for a period in excess of thirty days. At date of death he was attached to Patrol Bombing Squad- ron SIXTY-TWO. He was First Radioman. (5) Radio Electrician Jewell Franklin FLACK, USN, (377487), who was killed in the crash. At date of death he was attached to SEVENTEENTH Naval District. He was a passenger. (6) NELSON, Roy George, 533-22-07, Y2c, V-6, USNR, who was killed in the crash. He had been on active duty for a period in excess of thirty days. At date of death he was attached to SEVENTEENTH Naval District. He was a passenger. (7) DUGGER, Keith Eugene, 860-51-27, T2c, V-6, USNR, who was killed in the crash. He had been on active duty for a period in excess of thirty days. At date of death he was attached to SEVENTEENTH Naval District. He was a passenger. (8) Lieutenant Paul Porter BUTLER, A-V(S), USNR, (216261), who was killed in the crash. He had been on active duty for a period in excess of thirty days. At date of death he was travelling under orders to report to Naval Air Training Bases, Corpus Christi, Texas. He was a passen- ger. (9) Lt.(jg) Clark Donald HOOT, (C)L, USNR, (349510), who was injured in the crash. At date of injury he was attached to SEVENTEENTH Naval District. He was a passenger. A-98 Page 5 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (10) Lt.(jg) Francis Paul JENKINS, (C)L, USNR, (344067), who was injured in the crash. At date of injury he was at- tached to SEVENTEENTH Naval District. He was a passenger. (11) Lieut. Meredith (n) WINGERT, (A)L, USNR, (208220), who was seriously injured in the crash. At date of injury he was travelling under orders to report to Naval Train- ing Unit, Tooele, Utah. He was a passenger. (12) HEWITT, james Allen, 885-48-55, Y3c, V-6, USNR, who was seriously injured in the crash. At date of injury he was attached to SEVENTEENTH Naval District. He was a passenger. (13) CATALANO, John Joseph, AMM2c, V-6, USNR, 611-01-69, who was seriously injured in the crash. At date of injury he was was travelling under orders to report to Receiving Station, Naval Station, Seattle, Washington. (14) KRUMM, Omar Fredrick, 381-83-85, ARM2c(T), USN, who was seriously injured in the crash. At date of injury he was attached to Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO. He was second radioman. (15) KUNTZELMAN, Charles (n), 852-92-65, AMM2c(T), V6S, USNR, who was seriously injured in the crash. At date of injury he was attached to Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY-TWO. He was First Mechanic. (c) The airplane piloted by Lieuntnant Commander George Richard SMITH, USN, took off from Army Air base, Cold Bay, Alaska, at 0930 on 3 October 1945, on a duly authorized flight to carry passengers and material to Naval Air Station, Kodiak, Alaska. A-98 Page 6 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (d) Immediately after the airplane crashed at 1331, the Kodiak Control Tower Operator sounded the crash alarm and directed the crash truck and fire trucks by radio to proceed to disabled aircraft on hillside at end of runway 7. As the trucks proceeded to the end of runway 7, the Control Tower gave them more specific instructions as to the location of crash stat- ing that the disabled aircraft was on the hillside at the end of runway 7 in back of SeaBee Hill. The trucks were directed up SeaBee Hill to SeaBee build- ings then just beyond to the plane on the northeast slope of Old Woman Moun- tain. The vehicles could proceed to within approximately 150 yards of the crash. From this point a path was made through the thickly-growing scrub trees to the scene. A fire hose was run to the scene from the SeaBee build- ings, but was not used since the plane did not burn. Ambulances, doctors, and hospital corpsmen from th edispensary proceeded to the scene immediately. The first fire and rescue personnel arrived at eh crash at approximatley 1340. Personnel from the SeaBee buildings arrived at approximatley 1334. The victims were removed as quickly as possible. The plane came to rest on the starboard side of the fuselage. The starboard wing was broken off at the root and was lying paallel to the fuselage. Both engines were broken loose from their mountings and were 20 - 25 feet from the wreckage, partly buried in the ground. The plane from No. 4 bulkhead forward was completely demolished and was piled in a twisted heap under the wings and cabane section. The starboard wing was broken and twisted about six feet from the wing tip and wa also broken near the center. The port wing was broken off at the root. Little visible damage was done to the fuselage aft of number four bulkhead, except that the tail section was twisted, apparently by being struck by the starboard wing. Both wheels, sidemaounts, and tires appeared to be undamaged. The keep aft of number four bulkhead was undamaged. No evidenceof engine failure was observed by the sruviving crew members or passengers. Salvage operations carried on until the following day recover- ing all plane parts and confidential radio equipment. All classified publica- tions and charts were recovered. Examiniation of the wreckage disclosed no evidence of material failure or sabotage. A-98 Page 7 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (c) Lieutenant Commander SMITH's body was found in the wreckage under the cabane section with multiple and severe bruises and lacerations on the face and body and with crushed skull. Identification was positively made by Commander Elmer F. LOWRY, (MC), USN, Medical Officer, Naval Opera- ting Base, Kodiak, Alaska. Lieutenant (jg) McNeil's body was found in the wreckage along side Lieutenant Commander SMITH's with multiple and severe bruises about the face and body and with cruched skull. Identification was positively made by Commander Elmer F. LOWRY, (MC), USN, Medical Officer, Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska. Ensign TOSTMAN's body was found in the wreckage of the navi- gation compartment with multiple and severe lacerations and bruises about the face and body and with crushed skull. Identification was positively made by Commander Elmer F. LOWRY, (MC), USN, Medical Officer, Naval Operat- ing Base, Kodiak, Alaska. Lieutenant BUTLER's body was found in the after-bunk com- partment with multiple and severe lacerations and bruises about the body and face with chest crushed. Identification was positively made by Commander Elmer F. LOWRY, (MC), USN, Medical Officer, Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska. Radio Electrician FLACK's body was found in the wreckage of the navigation compartment with multiple and severe lacerations and bruises about the face and body and with crushed skull. Identification was positively made by Commander Elmer F. LOWRY, (MC), USN, Medials Officer, Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska. NAGLE's body was found in the wreckage of the navigation com- partment with multiple and severe lacerations and bruises about the face and body and with crushed skull. Identification was positively made by Com- mander Elmer F. LOWRY, (MC), USN, Medical Officer, Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska. A-98 Page 8 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DUGGER's body was found in the wreckage of the navigation compartment with multiple and severe lacerations and bruises about the face and body and with crushed skull. Identification was positively made by Commander Elmer F. LOWRY, (MC), USN, Medical Officer, Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska. NELSON was found in the port blister in after-station with multiple and severe lacerations and bruises about the face and body and with basal skull fracture. He died in the dispensary shortly after being removed from the crash. Identification was positively made by Commander Elmer F. LOWRY, (NC), USN, Medical Officer, Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska. KRUMM was found in the starboard blister in after-station with contusion of right chest wall. KUNTZELMAN was found clear of the wreckage with severe and multiple lacerations about the face and with severe laceration of right hip. Lt.(jg) HOOT was found in the after-bunk compartment with contusion of forehead. Lt.(jg) JENKINS was found in the after-bunk compartment with laceration of lower lip. Lieutenant WINGERT was found in the after-bunk compartment with fracture of left forearm. CATALANO was found in the port wheel well with puncture wound of the sacral area. HEWITT was found in the starboard wheel well with lacerations of the right leg and left ear. A-98 Page 9 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (f) At the time of the crash, Kodiak Naval Air Station had an estimated ceiling of 500 feet, visibility 2 miles, wind 20 knots south- southeast gusts to 28, with light rain. The surface of the bay east of the field was rough. (g) Lieutenant Commander SMITH had a total of 1397 flying hours of which 1236 hours were in PBY type aircraft. He had been fully instructed in the flying characteristics of the PBY-5A type plane. Lt.(jg) McNEIL had a total of 822 flying hours of which 673 hours were in PBY type aircraft. He had been fully instructed in the fly- ing characteristics of the PBY-5A type plane. (h) The airplane was in good mechanical condition, was properly serviced, and carried adequate equipment for its mission. The plane had been operated 1125 hours and had not had an overhaul. It had been flown 24 hours since the last 60-hour check. No reports of trouble with either the airplane of engines had been made since the last 60-hour check. The plane departed from Cold Bay with 12-hours supply of fuel and had approxi- mately eight-hours fuel remaining at the time of the crash. (i) Lieutenant Commander SMITH appeared to be in good spirits immediately preceding this flight as indicated by surviving passengers and crew members. He had been examined by a flight surgeon on 16 July 1945 and found physically and temperamentally adapted for flying. No com- plaints had been made subsequent to said examination. Lt.(jg) McNEIL had been examined by a flight surgeon on 19 April 1945, and found physically and temperamentally adapted for flying. No complaints had been made subsequent to said examination. A-98 Page 10 of 11 pages UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET Air Force VPB-62/L11-1 Patrol Bombing Squadron Sixty-Two c/o Fleet Post Office Serial 304 San Francisco, California RESTRICTED 8 October 1945 __________ From: Commanding Officer To: The Secretary of the Navy (Office of the Judge Advocate General.) Via: (1) Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR (2) Commander, Fleet Air Wing FOUR. Subject: Administrative report of crash of PBY-5A aircraft, Bureau No. 48386. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ensign TOSTMAN had been examined by a flight surgeon on 19 April 1945, and found physically and temperamentally adapted for flying. No complaints had been made subsequent to said examination. (j) There was no damage to private property. 3. Opinions: _________ (a) That during the steep climbing turn to the left after over- shooting a downwind attempt to land on runway 25, Lt.Comdr. SMITH, in an attempt to gain sufficient altitude to clear the surrounding hills, pulled the nose of the plane too high and the plane stalled. There was insuf- ficient altitude to recover from the stall and the plane crashed nose first. (b) That there was little chance of compromise of confidential radio equipment since all of it was recovered and a continuous guard was maintained at the scene until all the wreckage was salvaged. (c) That the crash of said airplane and the resultant deaths and injuries were not caused in any manner by the intent, fault, negligence or in- efficiency of any person or persons in the naval service or connected therewith. (d) That all deaths and injuries as a result of said crash were in line of duty and not due to misconduct. 4. Recommendations: ________________ (a) It is recommended that the local traffic rules for minimum operating conditions for ceiling, visibility, and force and direction of wind be modified to prevent the recurrence of this type accident. W. H. WITHROW, Acting. A-98 Page 11 of 11 pages [The next four pages were on message forms. Only the relevelant information has been reproduced here.] P.S.N.Y. 2-20-48 600M NAVAL AIR STATION, KODIAK, ALASKA NHB NR 20 NAVAL COMMUNICATION HD ________________________________________________________________________ Heading PAGE 1/ ________________________________________________________________________ URDIS 200059 AND COMALSEAFRON 200520 X 5 COMAFIRWING 4 PBYS SEARCHED FROM WHIDBEY ISLAND TO SITKA FROM 1 DEC TO 5 DEC X 1 PBY5A SEARCHED AREA FROM ANNETTE ISLAND TO SITKA AND NORTH OF SITKA FROM 1 DEC TO 5 DEC X 1 JRF COAST GUARD SEARCHED DIXON ENTRANCE DUKE ISLAND CORONATION ISLAND AND HARBOR MT AREAS FROM 4 DEC TO 16 DEC X CGC CYANE SEARCHED DIXON ENTRANCE AND FOLLOWED TRACK THAT MISSING PB4Y PRIVATEER WAS PRESUMABLY FLYING FROM KODIAK TO MASSETT FROM 1 DEC TO 8 DEC X CGC HEMLOCK SEARCHED OUTSIDE WATERS OF ENTRANCE AND PUT OUT SEARCH PARTIES ON 3, 4, AND 5 DEC TO CLIMB HARBOR MT X 4 CG SMALL CRAFT SEARCHED INSIDE WATERS OF CLARENCE STRAITS AND PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND X COMDR WEED IN THE FANDWL PLANE WITH PILOT TOM WHITE MADE A THOROUGH SEARCH OF SITKA AREA FROM 3 DEC TO 7 DEC X A SEARCH PARTY OF CIVILIANS UNDER SITKA FIRE CHIEF SEARCHED HARBOR MT FOR SEVERAL DAYS X ALASKA COASTAL AIRLINES SEARCHED SITKA AREA ON 3 DEC AND 4 DEC X ON 6 DEC A PBY FROM KODIAK RESEARCHED THE AREAS FROM ANNETTE TO NORTH OF SITKA AND BARANOF ISLAND UNTIL 12 DEC X RESULT OF P.S.N.Y. 2-20-48 600M NAVAL AIR STATION, KODIAK, ALASKA NHB NR 10 NAVAL COMMUNICATION HD ________________________________________________________________________ Heading ________________________________________________________________________ YOUR 191845 SEARCH FOR PB4Y-2 BUNR 59777 CARRIED OUT OVER CORONATION ISLAND SHORELINE AND ALL AREA SOUTH TO WHIDBEY ISLAND BY FAW-4 PBYS AND 1 COAST GUARD PORT ANGELES PBY X SEARCH THIS AREA ABANDONED 5 DEC BY NAS SEATTLE 050216 X SEARCH CONTINUED BY COMALSEAFRON AND COMSITKA SECTOR VICINITY CORONATION ISLAND AND NORTH CONCENTRATING SITKA AREA AND VICINITY HARBOR MOUNTAIN X FURTHER SEARCH CONSIDERED USELESS BY COMALSEAFRON AND DISCONTINUED 13 DEC X BASED ON ANALYSIS VOLUMINOUS DISPATCH TRAFFIC DURING SEARCH ORIGINATOR BELIEVES ALL PROBABLY AREAS OF CRASH WERE THOROUGHLY COVERED AND THAT PLANE CRASHED EITHER INTO WATER OR SOME REMOTE SPOT INLAND WELL OFF COURSE X FURTHER INFO FORTHCOMING WHEN RECEIVED FROM COMSITKA SECTOR Reference Brief: 191845: REQUEST INFO PROGRESS EXPECTED DURATION SEARCH 050216: NAS SEATTLE ABANDON SEARCH From: COMFAIR SEATTLE Date: 202121 DEC Precedence PRIORITY CWO WHG To: CNO Info: CWSF, CASF, COMSITKASEC A-99 Page 1 of 3 pages P.S.N.Y. 2-20-48 600M NAVAL AIR STATION, KODIAK, ALASKA NAVAL COMMUNICATION ________________________________________________________________________ Heading ________________________________________________________________________ ALL SEARCHES HEGATIVE X UNFAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS INTERFERRED WITH OPERATIONS REF 200059: REQUEST INFO ON LOSS OF 59777 REF 200520: NOT HELD. PROBABLY 200520 ANSWER TO 200059 GIVING DETAILS OF SEARCH. From: COMSITSEC Date 210022 DEC Precedence PRIORITY CWO RAH To: COMFAIR SEATTLE Info: CWSF, CASF, CNO A-99 Page 2 of 3 pages P.S.N.Y. 2-20-48 600M NAVAL AIR STATION, KODIAK, ALASKA NHB NR 21 NAVAL COMMUNICATION HD ________________________________________________________________________ Heading ________________________________________________________________________ CNO REQUESTS GENERAL INFORMATION ON EXTENT PROGRESS AND EXPECTED DURATION OF SEARCH FOR PLANE BUNR 59777 OF VPB-122 LOST 30 NOV X ADVISE ORIGINATOR FULL DETAILS IMMEDIATELY NR 1 TO NAS.OP BY TELETYPE/ 0310Z/20TH From: COMFAIR SEATTLE Date 200059 DEC Precedence PRIORITY CWO RAH To: COMALSEAFRON Info: COMKODSEC, COMSITSEC, CNO A-99 Page 3 of 3