Updated January 27, 2026

North Haven, Connecticut – October 2, 1932

     On October 2, 1932, a Stinson Junior monoplane with four people aboard crashed on the edge of a pasture in North Haven, just north of Clintonville Road. (Today Route 22) The plane had taken off from New Haven Airport shortly before.

     Three of the four persons aboard perished at the scene.  They were identified as (Pilot) George A. Smith, 29, his brother Lester, 23, and Mrs. Beatie Russner, 25, of East Haven, Connecticut.  Mrs. Russner’s brother, John A. Hood, 28, of West Haven, was transported to a hospital and succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. 

     Sources:

     New York Times, “3 Men And Woman Die When Plane Crashes”, October 3, 1932   

     The Attleboro Sun, (Ma.), “Probe Death Of Four In Air Crash”, October 3, 1932