1954 — Sep 28, USN PB-5 Marlin Takeoff Crash, Sangley Point NAS, Philippines –all 12

— 12 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (126257 to 130264) 8-26-2011.
— 12 Galveston Daily News, TX. “Philippine Crash Kills 12 Navy Men.” 9-29-1954, p. 2.
— 12 Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “Philippines.” 9-28-1954, p. 2.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “127697 (VP-46) crashed on takeoff in bad weather Sep 28, 1954 at NS Sangley Point, Philippines. 12 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine…BuNos…(126257 to 130264) 8-26-2011.)

Newspapers

Sep 28: “Manila (AP) – A U.S. Navy amphibious patrol plane crashed on taking off from Sangley Point Naval Air Station Tuesday. The Navy said there were no survivors. The plane normally carries four officers and eight crewmen.” (Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “Philippines.” 9-28-1954, p. 2.)

Sep 29: “Manila, Wednesday, Sept. 29 – UP – Ten charred bodies were recovered Wednesday from the wreckage of a U.S. Navy bomber which crashed after taking off from Sangley Point killing all 12 crewmen aboard. The victims included three U.S. Navy officers and nine enlisted men….

“The PB-5-M Marlin took off for a routine patrol mission over the China sea Tuesday night and was gaining altitude when its right engine suddenly failed. It dropped sharply, narrowly missing the U.S. enlisted men’s quarters near the airstrip, and slammed in the base armory.

“Adm, Hugh H. Goodwin, commander of the U.S. Naval forces in the Philippines, said this morning that 10 bodies were recovered. It was believed the bodies of two other victims were disintegrated in the explosion following the crash.

“The plane burned for more than two hours and U.S. and Philippine Navy firemen battled 50-foot flames that were visible from Manila’s Dewey Boulevard across the bay.

“Goodwin ordered all ships near Sangley Point out to sea as the flames threatened the armory ammunition dump. Navy authorities and their families were evacuated from the base in all available boats.

“Goodwin refused to give details of the crash beyond saying the Marlin’s pilots appeared to have
attempted to reach waters on Manila Bay off the airstrip. He said a board of inquiry was formed to investigate the disaster.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Philippine Crash Kills 12 Navy Men.” 9-29-1954, p. 2.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (126257 to 130264) Aug 26, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries14.html

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Philippine Crash Kills 12 Navy Men.” 9-29-1954, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=42420450

Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “Philippines [USN Patrol Plane Takeoff Crash].” 9-28-1954, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=87685723