Atlantic Ocean – February 13, 1943
Rhode Island
There isn’t much information available about this accident as news reports were vague.
On February 13, 1943, two navy planes collided in mid-air while on a training flight over the Atlantic Ocean somewhere off the coast of Rhode Island. The type of planes was not stated, but there were four crewmen between the two planes, three of whom were lost. Their names were not stated.
The sole survivor was identified as Aviation Mechinist’s Mate Joseph Leo Wallace, who was thrown clear by the impact, and saved by his parachute. Wallace was rescued by a “fast Navy motor boat” which then developed engine trouble off Newport and drifted onto some rocks. Wallace and the boat crew were rescued by the Coast Guard. (The boat could not be saved.)
Sources:
Providence Journal: “4 Lost, 2 Rescued In Plane Mishaps”, February 14, 1943, Pg. 5 (It should be noted that the headline does not match up to this particular story because two crashes were reported ion the same article. The other crash occurred in Maine where one man was lost and another saved.)
The Milwaukee Journal, “Tossed Into Space As Planes Collide, Chute Saves Him”, February 14, 1943, Pg. 1