Quonset Point Naval Air Station – June 17, 1943
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 17, 1943, a navy PV-1 Ventura, (Bu. No. 29860), with six men aboard, was making an approach to Rhode Island’s Quonset Point Naval Air Station after six hours of flying cross country. Thirty other aircraft were all in the vicinity attempting to land after being advised by the tower that the airport would be closed shortly due to the bad weather that was closing in. As the plane was about to touch down it hit an air pocket and slammed onto the tarmac, the wheels causing it to bounce back into the air. It fell again, and this time the landing gear collapsed, sending the aircraft skidding on its belly down the runway. Fortunately there was no fire and no serious injuries to those aboard.
Source:
U. S. navy Crash Investigation Report #43-7297
