Investigation Summary
The mission, designated 'Navigation Problem No. 1', required the squadron to fly east for 141 miles to the Hen and Chickens shoals for bombing practice, then north for 73 miles, and finally southwest back to NAS Fort Lauderdale. Approximately 90 minutes after takeoff, Lt. Taylor reported that his compasses were not working and he was lost. He incorrectly identified the islands below him (likely the Bahamas) as the Florida Keys, leading him to believe he had drifted far to the south and west into the Gulf of Mexico. Radio transmissions revealed a conflict between Taylor and his students; at least one student pilot, Captain Powers, correctly believed they should fly west, but Taylor insisted on flying north and east to 'find' the Florida peninsula. The situation was exacerbated by poor radio reception; the training frequency (4805 kc) was difficult to use due to a radio carrier wave and heavy interference from Cuban stations. Taylor also refused to switch to the 3000 kc emergency search and rescue frequency. Senior Flight Instructor Lt. Robert F. Cox, who was in the air on a separate mission, overheard Taylor's distress calls and attempted to provide guidance, but Taylor remained convinced he was over the Gulf. As night fell, weather conditions worsened with 40-75 mph winds and heavy squalls. The squadron is believed to have ditched around 20:00 EST when fuel was exhausted. The subsequent search involved hundreds of ships and aircraft, but the only lead was a report from the SS Gaines Mills, which witnessed a mid-air explosion at 19:50 EST, likely accounting for the missing PBM Mariner rescue plane.
Final Conclusions
The initial Navy Board of Investigation attributed the loss to the flight leader's confusion and errors in judgment. However, following an appeal by Lt. Taylor's mother, the Navy Department Board for Correction of Naval Records amended the official cause to 'unknown' or 'causes unknown' in 1947, stating that the Navy could not fairly blame Taylor without physical evidence of the aircraft or bodies. The loss of the PBM-5 Mariner (BuNo 59225), referred to as Trainer 49, was attributed to a mid-air explosion, a known hazard for that aircraft type which was colloquially nicknamed the 'flying gas tank' by crews due to fuel vapor issues.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
A Brief History of: Flight 19 — A detailed look at the training mission of five TBM Avengers led by Lt. Charles Taylor, their subsequent disappearance, and the failed rescue mission that fueled the Bermuda Triangle legend.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Crew Experience
Flight Leader
Lt. Charles C. Taylor, USNR
Student Pilot
Captain Edward Joseph Powers, USMC
Student Pilot
Ensign Joseph T. Bossi, USNR
Student Pilot
Captain Edward Joseph Powers, USMC
Student Pilot
Ensign Joseph T. Bossi, USNR
Student Pilot
Captain George William Stivers, USMC
Student Pilot
2nd Lt. Forrest J. Gerber, USMCR
Systems & Failure Modes
Magnetic Compass
The primary navigation tool for the TBM Avenger; Taylor reported both his primary and standby compasses failed, leading to his disorientation.
Radio Training Frequency
The flight remained on 4805 kc, which was crowded with interference from Cuban stations, rather than switching to the 3000 kc search and rescue frequency.
Interesting Facts
- 01The flight leader, Lt. Charles Taylor, had recently transferred from NAS Miami and was more familiar with the Florida Keys than the Bahamas.
- 02One crew member, Corporal Allan Kosnar, had asked to be excused from the flight and was not on board, leaving 14 men on the five Avengers.
- 03The PBM Mariner was known among crews as the 'flying gas tank' due to frequent fuel vapor leaks.
- 04The search for the missing aircraft was one of the largest in history, covering over 250,000 square miles.
- 05Several Avenger wrecks have been found off the Florida coast since 1945, but none have been identified as belonging to Flight 19.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Navigation Training Revision
The Navy reinforced the 'rule of thumb' for pilots lost off Florida: fly a heading of 270 degrees (due west) to reach the mainland regardless of perceived position.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Exoneration of Lt. Taylor
Reference ↗The Navy originally blamed Taylor for the loss, but his mother successfully petitioned to have the cause changed to 'unknown,' arguing that without wreckage, the Navy could not prove he was at fault.