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TBM-3Q BuNo 91350
A HAPS survey crew came across this
wreck site during a routine search at Barbers Point. This accident
occurred during a Sunday morning four ship formation takeoff at Barbers Pt NAS
on 9-17-48. It appears that the pilot, Ensign Webster, in the last
aircraft of the formation was caught by wake turbulence from one of the
aircraft ahead of him. He was not able to recover from a low
altitude
unusual attitude and struck the ground in a near vertical dive. We have
not been able to find a photo of Alvin Seeley, the third crew member aboard.
HAPS will place a granite memorial Marker at Kalaeloa after
appropriate permissions are attained.
Photo from In Scale and Detail, Vol. 53,
available at:
Squadron Signal Publications by Bert Kinzey
This TBM-3E was off the USS Essex, CV-9.
The white radome of the APS-4 radar is visible under the right wing. The
rear turret was removed when the 3Es were converted to the 3Qs and used for
electronic countermeasure warfare after the war.
TBM Article by David
Trojan, HAPS Contributor
Background
Information on crew and aircraft below
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This was scanned from a newspaper article |
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This was also scanned from the newspaper |
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The 1944 date was very helpful in determining crash date. |
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Official Navy Report |
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Front Page of the Star Bulletin |
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Advertiser account |
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Star Bulletin Photo |
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R-2600 Engine |
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The armor behind the pilot's seat |
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Note Seat Belt Buckle Bent from impact |
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Turret Remnants |
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Oxygen Tanks |
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Oxygen Blinker |
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APN-4 Radar Mount |
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Radio Altimeter Faceplate |
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