Quonset Point, R. I. – April 11, 1950
F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo
At about 11:40 a.m. on the morning of April 11, 1950, two aircraft were making landing approaches to Runway 16 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, and due to their approach angles, neither pilot saw the other. The first aircraft to land was a Beechcraft SNB-3, (Bu. No. 67100). The landing was normal, and after touchdown the pilot applied the brakes. Immediately afterward, an F8F-2 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 122639), landed directly behind the Beechcraft and overtook it, plowing into the rear of the aircraft. The Beechcraft was damaged beyond all repair, but its three-man crew was not injured. The Bearcat suffered front end damage, but the pilot was not injured.
The Bearcat was assigned to Fighting Squadron 74, (VF-74).
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated April 11, 1950
