What is it?

[John Dupre]

The prop shows at least one blade bent back. Also since the engine is several yards away from the main wreckage that could be an indication it was torn off in the crash. Also it is possible the engine may have been snagged on a net at some point and pulled away from the wreck. The regularity of any holes in the airframe could still have more to do with the quality of the metal, paint, primer and corrosion control prior to the accident. I couldn't see the tail wheel at all in first viewing but it could be down inside the wheel well. It looks like there might be something of the flight controls left and since their metal structure is very light they could easily of rotted away.

I wonder what happens to an engineless airframe as it sinks? Is it more likely to end up upside down? I know that intact ditched aircraft tend to "fly" through the water as the wreckage sinks engine first.

[cooper9411]

Generally an engineless airframes c.g. will be way off so anything is possible.

[tinbender2]

I'm going to say...

stripped and dumped...

for many of the same reasons others have listed, and because the video shows several cables wrapped around the prop, which suggests it was lifted off a ship and dumped.

[cooper9411]

Maybe we should all take a trip there and dive on the wreck then decide.

[John Dupre]

Maybe it did a wheels up landing on a carrier and took out some of the arresting cables or barrier and then was pushed overboard?

[cooper9411]

Like I said, anything is possible

[F3A-1]

I agree, gear up on the deck, stripped, pushed over. SB2C-5.


Pirate Lex
http://www.BrewsterCorsair.com

[SandyBottom]

Wanted to let you know the person who found the wreck is Randy Jordan owner of Emerald Charters in Tequesta, FL. He did interviews with Fox and NBC affiliate's in West Palm Beach, FL today. He was going to mention WIX as being able to ID the type of plane. I hope they put the footage on their web page. Thanks for the help!

This area has had some screaming hurricanes that came right over that area so the position of the plane and detachment of the engine could be a result of that too. A hurricane righted the Speigel Grove off the Keys and sunk the Oriskany in the gulf an additional 10 ft so I can only imagine what could happen to a small plane.

The likelihood of fishing nets and cables is an ever present danger in this area. I have seen them hung up on reef and wrecks all over this area. Both seem to last a long time in saltwater.

I will keep you up to date on the developments. You can also get updates on Emerald Charters Facebook page.

[marine air]

Could it be a Curtiss SO3C Seamew?

[svengi]

Could it be a Curtiss SO3C Seamew?

Nope


Anyone notice the shark under the wing? Hope they took the time to kill those lionfish. Looks like a heavily corroded helldiver. Pretty good footage at quite a depth, wonder what sort of camera system he was using.

[SandyBottom]

Here is the URL for the WPTV (NBC) affiliete in PB, FL Your group was given the credit on IDing the plane.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_n_p ... ach-county


They are returning Thursday for another look. I will tell them to get the tail number.

Last edited by SandyBottom on Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

[SandyBottom]

Could it be a Curtiss SO3C Seamew?

Nope


Anyone notice the shark under the wing? Hope they took the time to kill those lionfish. Looks like a heavily corroded helldiver. Pretty good footage at quite a depth, wonder what sort of camera system he was using.

I don't think he took the time to kill the lionfish, however Randy is the inventor of "The Lion Tamer" We've killed thousands of them and they are still multiplying...

The shark is a Nurse Shark, their just really big catfish.

I will ask Randy what camera and light system he used and get back to you.

[svengi]

I don't think he took the time to kill the lionfish, however Randy is the inventor of "The Lion Tamer" We've killed thousands of them and they are still multiplying...

The shark is a Nurse Shark, their just really big catfish.

I will ask Randy what camera and light system he used and get back to you.

Yep, little nurse shark, still havent seen one of those yet. Glad to hear you all are doing your part with the lion fish. Probably a losing battle but every little bit helps. Thanks for sharing all of this with us. Happy holidays!

[StangStung]

WIX got a shout out on CNN this morning because of the airplane in this thread...or I guess because of this thread? Crazy. Anyhow, I'll just leave this here:

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/us/2011/12/26/fl-divers-find-plane.wptv

We're "experts" now!

[cooper9411]

Used to be I couldn't spell mechanic, now I is one!
I'm not an expert I just play one on t.v.