Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina US Navy Black Cat #04431 PATWING 10 (23/01/1943)
4 miles north of Moore River
On 23 January 1943 US Navy Catalina BUNO No. #04431 of HEDRON, Fleet Air Wing 10, made a forced landing at 1410 hours in the sea about 60 miles north of Pertth after a port engine caught fire in the accessory section of the engine. Fire is believed to have started due to an electrical short circuit. There were no injuries. The crew and passengers were picked up by the Australian Army. The aircraft dirfted up the beach after the landing and was severely damaged by coral heads and rough seas. Salvage operations were abandoned after 5 days due to adverse sea conditions and dangerous coral on which the aircraft was grounded
Ship Built
Country Built USA
Ship Lost
Grouped Region Mid-West
Sinking Forced landing then wrecked
Crew 17
When Lost 23/01/1943
Where Lost 4 miles north of Moore River
Latitude -31.30885
Longitude 115.46585
Port To Fremantle
Ship Details
Engine Twin engines
Museum Reference
Unique Number 1698
Sunk Code Wrecked and abandoned
Protected Unknown
Found Y
Inspected N