Agawam, MA. – September 7, 1928

Agawam, Massachusetts – September 7, 1928

     It seems there was once a small airfield in Agawam, Massachusetts, that was known as Randall Field, which is said to have opened in 1927, prior to the existence of the Agawam Bowles Airport. 

      On September 7, 1928, a small airplane with three people aboard took off from Randall Field.  There was the 25-year-old pilot and two passengers; a 21-year-old man, and a 6-year-old deaf mute boy.  The purpose of the flight was reportedly to “improve the condition” of the young boy.  The boy’s father had reportedly asked the pilot to perform some stunts “in the belief that they might help restore the child’s vocal powers.”

     The aircraft took off, and in view of many spectators performed an aerial loop at about 2,000 feet.  As the plane began to level out after the first loop, the left wing broke away and the craft suddenly began falling to the ground.  As it did so the right wing folded and broke.  The airplane plunged into a swamp near the airport, and those who arrived first to the scene discovered that the passengers  had perished.   The pilot died a short time later as he was being carried from the wreck. 

     The accident had been witnessed by the boys father. 

     Source:

     New Britain Herald (Conn.), “Three Die When Airplane Falls”, September 8, 1928. 

 

Agawam, MA. – December 4, 1932

Agawam Bowles Airport – December 4, 1932

     In May of 1932, former U. S. Army lieutenant Frank J. Lynch announced that he planned to fly he and his wife Josephine on a 40,000 mile trip around the world.  The custom aircraft he planned to use was designed by Robert L. Hall and was presently under construction at the Agawam Bowles Airport in Agawam, Massachusetts.   Dubbed “The Cicada”, it would be a high wing monoplane and have a cruising speed of 175 mph and a top speed of 210 mph.           

     Lynch was a native of Waterbury, Connecticut, and a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin.   He’d been flying since 1909; been a flight instructor during WWI; and a movie stunt pilot.  

     Once test flights at Agawam were complete, the plane was to fly to Newark, New Jersey where the couple would begin their round-the-world flight. 

     On December 4, 1932, “The Cicada” was ready for its first flight, which was completed safely at the Agawam Bowles Airport by Mr. Hall.  As Lieutenant Lynch was taking off a short time later the aircraft crashed into the side of a hangar and Lt. Lynch was killed.   

     Sources:

     The Brownsville Herald, (Texas), “Couple Plans Speedy Trip Around The World”, May 31, 1932

     The Evening Star, (Washington DC) “Globe Flight Planned By Film Stunt Pilot”, May 31, 1932

     New York Times, “War Pilot Crashes Into Hangar Wall”, December 5, 1932, pg. 36

     Waterbury Democrat, (Conn.) “Military Funeral For Lt. Lynch”, December 6, 1932

 

Agawam, MA – June 2, 1973

Agawam, Massachusetts – June 2, 1973

 

     On June 2, 1973, a 43-year old man and his son were killed when their twin-engine airplane crashed just after takeoff from Bowles Airport in Agawam.  The plane came down eighty feet away from a private home and exploded.  The portion of the tail section was recovered about 50 feet from the crash site.   

     Bowles Airport was located at Shoemaker Lane and Silver Street in Agawam.

     Source: Providence Sunday Journal, “Father, Son Die In Mass. Plane Crash”, June 3, 1973, page C25.

Agawam, MA. – October 24, 1970

Agawam, Massachusetts – October 24, 1970

 

     On October 24, 1970, a small aircraft carrying four persons, all from Connecticut, was making a landing approach at Bowels Agawam Airport when it overshot the runway and crashed into a tree 35 feet beyond and exploded.  All four persons were killed.  

     Bowels Agawam Airport was located on Shoemaker Lane at Silver Street.

     Sources:

     Westerly Sun, (R.I.), “Cause of Plane Crash Which Killed Four Sought”, October 25, 1970

     Providence Journal, “4 Persons Killed In Plane Crash At Agawam, Mass.”, October 25, 1970

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