Atlantic Ocean – September 22, 1948
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On the afternoon of September 23, 1948, navy reserve Lieutenant Carl Thomsen, Jr., (24), took off from the Squantum Naval Air Station in an F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 81647). The purpose of the flight was to take part in a gunnery practice exercise about ten miles off the eastern coast of Truro, Massachusetts. During the exercise the aircraft developed engine trouble and he was forced to make an emergency landing in the sea. The aircraft sank in twenty seconds, but Thomsen was able to extricate himself and inflate his yellow life vest. Fortunately, the fishing trawler “North Sea” out of Gloucester, Massachusetts, was nearby and had seen the plane crash. Within five minutes the crew had rescued the pilot, who was shaken, but not injured.
Sources:
The Provincetown Advocate, “Pilot Is Rescued By Fishing Craft”, September 23, 1948
Aviation Safety Network
