Off Point Judith, Rhode Island- April 18, 1951
On April 18, 1951, Lieutenant (j.g.) Robert E. Tisdale, (25), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a F9F-2 Panther, (Bu. No. 127086). At some point during the flight he lost his life when he crashed into the water 3.5 miles off Point Judith. The cause of the accident is unknown.
Lt. Tisdale was survived by his wife.
He was assigned to VF-72.
Sources:
Newport Mercury, (R.I.), “Navy Pilot Killed In Jet Crash Off Point Judith”, April 20, 1951, page 2.
Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Pilot Dies In Jet Crash”, April 19, 1951, page A-4.