Boston Airport – August 9, 1932
At about 10:25 a.m. on August 9, 1932, a 1st Lieutenant of the Massachusetts National Guard, taxied an O-38B observer type aircraft (Ser. No. 32-106) out of the hangar at Boston Airport and made his way to the end of the runway in preparation for take off. Meanwhile, for some unknown reason, a Boston Parks Department truck that was in the area, began moving towards the lieutenant’s airplane, approaching the aircraft on the runway from straight ahead. Due to the way the O-38 was sitting, with its nose up and tail down, the pilot couldn’t see the truck that was operating in his “blind spot”. As the aircraft began to make its run for takeoff the truck and plane collided.
Both plane and truck were damaged, however no injuries were reported. It was noted by the accident investigation committee that the O-38 was constructed in such a way that a blind spot was created while taxying.
The aircraft was assigned to the 101st Observation Squadron at Boston Airport.
Source: Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident, dated August 26, 1932.