PBY-5A CATALINA/Bu. 33968

Bureau #: 33968
Construction #: 1522
Civil Registration:
  N5582V
  C-GVTF
  N84857

Model(s):
  PBY-5A Catalina
Name: None
Status: Under restoration
Last info: 2003

History:
Troy G. Hawkins, Wichita Falls, TX, 1966-1969.
- Registered as N5582V.
Registration C-GVTF reserved but not taken up.
Diversified Drilling Muds, Cheyenne, WY, Oct. 10, 1980.
- Registered as N84857.
IDFAF Museum, Hazerim AB, Israel, May 1985.
- Severely damaged in taxing accident during delivery flight, Lewiston, MT, May 9, 1985.
Ben Kalka, Oakland, CA, 1989-2002

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NTSB Identification: DEN85FA131 . The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 29237.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, May 09, 1985 in LEWISTOWN, MT
Aircraft: Consolidated-Vultee PBY-5A, registration: N84857
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 2 Minor.
DURING TAXI TO TAKEOFF THE BRAKES FAILED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO GROUNDLOOP THE ACFT. THE ACFT ROLLED DOWN HILL AND COLLIDED WITH A GULLY. THE PLT WAS FATALLY INJURED. DURING PREFLIGHT THE CO-PLT INADVERTENTLY ADDED HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE ALCOHOL TANK. THE HYDRAULIC PUMP CAVITATED. THE PLT FAILED TO USE THE HYDRAULIC EMERGENCY HAND PUMP OR THE A.C. ELECTRIC PUMP.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM..PRESSURE TOO LOW
BRAKES(EMERGENCY)..NOT USED..PILOT IN COMMAND
AIRCRAFT SERVICE..IMPROPER..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
SAFETY SYSTEM(OTHER)..NOT ENGAGED
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE..NOT FOLLOWED..PILOT IN COMMAND
SUPERVISION..POOR..PILOT IN COMMAND

Contributing Factors

FLUID,HYDRAULIC..INADEQUATE
ACFT/EQUIP INADEQUATE,VISUAL RESTRICTION..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM,RESERVOIR..LOW LEVEL
WINDOW,INSPECTION/OBSERVATION..BLOCKED(PARTIAL)
CREW/GROUP COORDINATION..POOR..PILOT IN COMMAND
ANTI-ICE/DEICE SYSTEM,PROPELLER..UNMARKED