Coventry, Rhode Island – August 24, 1973
RICONN Airport is located in the western portion of the town of Coventry, R.I., just off Route 14, (aka Plainfield Pike), bordering the Connecticut state line. The runway area is an open grass field.
On August 24, 1973, a Piper PA-12 with two men aboard took off from RICONN Airport. As the plane was gaining altitude it suddenly backfired and developed engine trouble. The pilot attempted to bring the aircraft around to land back at RICONN, but with the engine running erratically was unable to gain enough altitude. The plane was wrecked when it crashed in a wooded area about 300 yards from the runway. Although the gas tank ruptured, there was no fire. The pilot suffered a broken leg, but the passenger was able to hike through the woods to find help.
Source:
Providence Journal Bulletin, “”2 Survive R.I. Plane Crash”, August 25, 1973, page 1. (Photo of aircraft)
