REPUBLIC RC-3 SEABEE # 841

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AIRCRAFT DATA

Pilot Donald Redman's report (Westinghouse Airways Ltd.; 327 Stewart Avenue, View Royal, Victoria, B.C.), to Mr. R. Carter Quest, District Inspector of Civil Air Regulations, Vancouver, B.C., dated February 2nd, 1948:

Sir:

I have to report that at 13.10 hrs. on Feb. 1st, 1948, I took off from Patricia Bay Airport, Vancouver Island, B.C., to fly to Bedwell Harbour, South Pender Island, a distance of about 12 miles. I was carrying three passengers and a small boy. The names of the passengers are: Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Peden and their son aged 4½ yrs., whose address is 1879 Townley St., Victoria, B.C., and Miss Betty M. Black of 2030 Meetan St., also in Victoria, B.C.

The aircraft was carrying about 35 Imp. gals. of fuel which is just less than half its full capacity, and sufficient for two hours' safe flying at normal cruising speed.

After take-off from the runway at Patricia Bay Airport I forgot to retract the undercarriage. Upon reaching Bedwell Harbour, approximately ten minutes after take-off, I circled once at 1,000 ft. to inspect the water prior to landing. I chose a stretch of sheltered water parallel to the shore and about 200 yds. distant. Weather conditions at the time were perfect except for a stiff northerly wind which caused the water surface to be "choppy" but not broken.

My approach for landing was normal but the aircraft somersaulted as soon as the wheels entered the water and the aircraft came to rest, floating, but upside down. Since all passengers and I were strapped in nobody sustained any injury worse than a few very superficial scratches and bruises. Mr. Peden and I being in the front seats were out first and helped Mrs. Peden and Miss Black out. The boy, who was being held in his father's arms at the time of impact came out with his father.

When the situation was temporarily under control Mr. Peden and I attempted to retrieve the air cushions from the seats in case the aircraft sank. We succeeded in obtaining two of these cushions which would have been more than sufficient in the event of aircraft sinking. Fortunately, the watertight compartments in the hull appeared to be intact, since the aircraft was not settling lower in the water.

We saw two people on the shore and called for help. Fortunately a row-boat appeared coming towards us but about a mile distant. The rowboat was being rowed by two men but was only large enough to carry three adults in such sea conditions, consequently when it reached us one of the men joined us on the aircraft whilst the two women and the child went off in the rowboat.

In the meantime a small fishing boat was seen approaching. We were now drifting with wind and tide at an estimated speed of about three knots, and we attempted to steer the aircraft towards a small beach. In this we were being remarkably successful, when the fishing boat reached us. Mr. Peden and I, being now semi-numb with cold, boarded the fishing boat, whilst the man who had joined us from the rowboat remained on the aircraft to attach a tow-line.

The fishing boat then towed the aircraft to within a few yards of the beach. At this point three things happened almost simultaneously. The engine in the fishing boat stalled, a small motorboat arrived and the R.C.A.F. Rescue Launch was observed some miles away but evidently travelling at a high speed towards us. The small motorboat took over the aircraft and successfully held it off the beach, where it would have broken to pieces. Although the fishing boat had dropped anchor, it was dangerously close to some rocks, and I was busy with an oar preventing the stern from touching the rocks. Meanwhile Mr. Peden took the dinghy in order to help with the aircraft, but returned when the motorboat had everything under control.

The R.C.A.F. rescue launch was now quite close and Mr. Peden and I left the scene in the fishing boat to go to the Government Dock at Bedwell Harbour. Here we were put ashore but I left again almost immediately to report aboard the R.C.A.F. Rescue Launch, which had now taken the aircraft in tow.

In order to facilitate salvage with as little damage as possible, the aircraft was towed into deeper water. Once in deeper water the aircraft sank but remained attached to the R.C.A.F. Rescue Launch by the tow line.

About 1800 hrs. a fishing boat arrived capable of carrying the weight of the submerged aircraft. Whereupon the towlines were transferred from the R.C.A.F. Rescue Launch to the fishing boat and the Rescue Launch with myself aboard returned to Patricia Bay to fetch the diving scow to salvage the aircraft. Unfortunately before we could return with the scow a message was received over radio-telephone from the fishing boat to the effect that sea conditions had deteriorated rapidly, a strong wind had arisen and the tow lines to the aircraft had broken.

The aircraft sank in about 170 fathoms of water in a position approximately two miles south of Bedwell Harbour in mid-channel.

I estimate that the passengers and myself were afloat on the up-turned aircraft for almost one hour before the first boat arrived, however owing to the discomfort of the situation this impression may be considerably exaggerated.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
"D. Redman".

Sources:

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