Merrimack River – February 16, 1935

 Merrimack River between Nashua and Hudson, N. H.

     On February 16, 1935, an aircraft attached to the 101st Observation Squadron of the Massachusetts National Guard was flying over the Merrimack River between Nashua and Hudson, New Hampshire.  The pilot and his observer were making a survey of “flood prospect conditions” along the river.  The aircraft was flying at a low altitude when it struck powerlines that were strung across the river, and crashed into the cold water.  The pilot and observer escaped the sinking plane and swam towards shore on the Nashua side.  They were assisted by members of a railroad crew who had witnessed the crash.  The two airmen were then placed on a railroad hand car and brought to Union Station.  From there they were transported to a doctor’s office where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.    

     The severely damaged aircraft was salvaged from the river and brought to Boston.   

     Source: The Nashua Telegraph, “Wrecked Plane Moved From River”, February 18, 1935

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