Charlestown, Rhode Island – April 27, 1944
On the afternoon of April 27, 1944, a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 09747), overshot the runway while landing at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field. The aircraft was on a ferry mission with a Marine Corp 1st lieutenant aboard. The aircraft first touched down at the approximate midpoint of the 1,400 foot runway. To the right of the runway was a parked twin-engine PBM Mariner with a bomb truck parked alongside. When the pilot of the Dauntless applied full brakes the aircraft swerved to the right, and its right wing struck the bomb truck causing the aircraft to pivot and crash into the fuselage of the Mariner. The pilot was not injured but the passenger suffered a cut lip. No other injuries were reported concerning the truck or the Mariner. Both aircraft were damaged beyond repair.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-15665, dated April 27, 1944.