Otis Air Force Base – July 10, 1951
Falmouth, Massachusetts
On the morning of July 10, 1951, two F-86A Sabre Jets were scheduled for take off from Otis Air Force Base for a routine training flight. The first jet took off without incident, but the second jet, (#49-1112), was only airborne for a moment or two when it fell back to the runway while traveling at an estimated 120 knots. The pilot attempted to apply brakes, and skidded into a runway light, which blew the front tire of the aircraft, and tore away the landing gear. The plane finally skidded to a stop and caught fire. The pilot escaped with minor injuries.
The pilot later told investigators that the engine was making a rising and falling noise just before the accident.
Source: U.S. Air Force Crash Investigation Report, #51-7-10-1