Richmond Corner, Maine – June 2, 1953
Updated September 13, 2026
Republic F-84C – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the late night of June 1, or the early morning hours of June 2, an unidentified plane crashed and burned in a wooded area about two miles south of Richmond Corner. The blast reportedly lit up the sky and rattled buildings.
Trooper George Buzzell of the state police was the first on scene and made his way about a half-mile into the woods where he found scattered debris over a wide area and several small brush fires burning, but no apparent human remains. Due to the destruction, the type of aircraft could not be immediately determined, but the trooper did locate a piece of debris with the word “Republic” on it.
The Richmond Fire Department responded and extinguished the fires.
A crash crew from the Brunswick Naval Air Station arrived and took over the scene.
It was later determined that the plane was a U.S. Air Force Republic F-84G Thunderjet, serial number, 51-1324. The un-named pilot had parachuted from the plane before the crash.
The 23-year-old 2nd Lt. pilot was assigned to the 457th Fifghter Squadron at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine.
Sources:
Providence Journal, “No Bodies Found In Plane Crash”, June 2, 1953, pg. 9.
Evening Bulletin, “Pilot is Uninjured In Maine Plane Crash”, June 2, 1953.
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