Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory Archive

IN THE SCHOOL OF OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA

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AIR-19: Hellcat (BuNo 94017)

HURL Artifact No.	AIR-19	*Denotes approximations and speculations


Name:	Hellcat (BuNo 94017)	Lost:	30-Aug-51
Artifact Type:	Aircraft	Found:	16-Aug-98
Nationality:	USA	Dive No:	PV-360
Class or Make:	Grumman	Location:	Ewa
Model:	F6F-5N	Depth (m):	216m
Purpose:	Fighter	HURL crew:	Kerby, Holloway, Benumuf
Serial Number:	94017	Additional Dives:	R-215
Built/Launched:	*1942-1945 (12,000+)

Length:	33.7'
Width:	42.7
Height:	12.2



Circumstance of Loss:	Ditched	Crew Personnel/Position:	Pilot Lt. Jack B. Braley

Reason of Loss:	Low oil pressure	Crew Survivals/Fatalities:	Pilot survived water landing.

Artifact History:	The aircraft was assigned to squadron VC-35. Shortly after take-off on night training mission the pilot noticed low oil pressure. He turned around and called base for emergency landing, but decided to ditch in the ocean, which he did successfully. He was unable to extract his life raft and his flares did not work, but using his life vest flashlight, and whistle was able to signal rescue vessel and was recovered in a timely manner.

Artifact Condition:	Aircraft is generally in very good condition. The engine is askew and has nearly broken off. There are a few holes in the left side wing. Numbers are readable near the tail.

Additional Information:	It was determined that accident was due to oil leak not noticed by pilot or ground crew due to darkness. It was recommended that a oil quantity gauge be installed on these aircraft as similar incidents had occurred. There is an abundance of colorful fish on this site.

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