131st Fighter Squadron History | New England Aviation History

Granville, MA. – October 19, 1954

April 1, 2026

Granville, Massachusetts – October 19, 1954

T-33 Shooting Star – U. S. Air Force Photo

On October 19, 1954, a Massachusetts National Guard T-33 trainer jet with two men aboard took off from Barnes Field in Westfield, Massachusetts, for a routine training flight. After flying for about 15 minutes the plane developed engine trouble. The aircraft was over a populated area and the men knew that if they bailed out the jet could caused injuries or fatalities to civilians on the ground. Therefore, both men opted to stay with the aircraft and guide it over a rural area. The jet crashed into a wooded hillside in the rural town of Granville and both men were killed.

The National Guard members were identified as:

Lieutenant Richard G. Brown, 38, of Northampton, Mass.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234043596/richard-george-brown

Tec/Sergt. Austin A. Cooper, 28, of West Springfield, Mass.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44783238/austin-atherton-cooper

Both men were assigned to the 131st Fighter Squadron based in Westfield, Mass.

Source:

Evening Bulletin, (RI), “2 Mass. Guardsmen Die In Jet Crash”, October 20, 1954, pg. 51.

Southampton, MA – July 18, 1964

July 3, 2017

Southampton, Massachusetts – July 18, 1964

F-86 Sabre – U.S. Air Force Photo

On July 18, 1964, a flight of four Massachusetts Air National Guard F-86 Sabre jets were returning to Barnes Airport after a gunnery training mission. One of the Sabre’s was piloted by Captain John H. Paris, 33, of Newburgh, New York.

As the jets approached the airfield, Paris’s aircraft suddenly lost power and dropped out of formation. Captain Paris ejected, but his parachute failed to open. He fell into Pequot Pond and was killed.

Meanwhile, his F-86 came regained level flight and belly land on its own in an open field about 2 miles northeast of the north end of Runway 20 at Barnes Airport; about 700 feet east of Ross Road. The aircraft sustained major damage but there was no fire.

Captain Paris was part of the 131st Fighter Squadron.

Source:

Providence Journal, (R.I.), “Flier Killed In Crash As Thousands Watch”, July 19, 1964

Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.