Block Island, R. I. – July 5, 1950

March 30, 2026

Block Island, Rhode Island – July 5, 1950

     On July 5, 1950, two men took off from the Block Island Airport in a Piper Cub airplane for a sightseeing trip around the island.  According to witnesses, as the plane was returning to the airport, it made a turn in preparation of landing, and while doing so it lost airspeed and dove to the ground.  The plane came down about 100 feet to the east of the airport. Both men were critically injured, and were transported to the mainland in a navy PBY aircraft sent over from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  

     Source:

     Evening Bulletin, (RI), “Plane Crash Injures 2 Men”, July 5, 1950, pg. 34.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Civil Tagged With: , ,

Block Island, R. I. – July 15, 1950

March 28, 2026

Block Island, Rhode Island – July 15, 1950

     At 9:15 p.m. on July 15, 1950, a small plane with four men aboard overshot the runway at Block Island Airport while attempting to land.  The plane broke through a wire fence and went over a steep embankment where it crashed at the bottom.  Three of the four men aboard suffered non-life-threatening injuries.  Damage to the plane was estimated at $3,000. 

     It was noted in the press that “The accident followed dedicatory ceremonies at the airport by hours.” 

     Source:

     Providence Sunday Journal, “Three Are Hurt In Plane Crash”,  July 16, 1950, pg. 38.  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Civil Tagged With: , ,

Block Island, R. I. – July 22, 1957

November 26, 2022

Block Island, Rhode Island – July 22, 1957

     On July 21, 1957, four men took off from the Woonsocket Airport in a 1946 Stinson 150 bound for Block Island, where they intended to spend the day, have dinner, and then fly home.  At 1:05 a.m. on the morning of July 22, the men took off from Block Island Airport for the return trip.  Shortly after becoming airborne the plane suddenly crashed in a thick brushy area about three miles from the airport and burst into flames.  All aboard perished.     

     The men were from Cumberland, R. I., Blackstone, Ma., North Smithfield, R. I. and Milford, Ma.  All had been long time friends. 

     Visibility at the time of the accident was hindered by darkness and patches of thick fog.   

     The cause of the accident is unknown.  

     Sources:

     Woonsocket Call, “Four Men Killed In City Plane Crash On Block Island”, July 22, 1957, pg.1.

     Woonsocket Call, “Last Man To See Quartet Alive Tells Of Takeoff, Crash, Flames”, July 22, 1957, pg. 1.  

     Woonsocket Call, “Pilots Gather At Airport Here, Stunned By Block I. Tragedy”, July 22, 1957, pg. 2. 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Civil Tagged With: , , , ,

Block Island Airport – September 8, 1976

September 13, 2018

Block Island Airport – September 8, 1976

     On September 8, 1976, a Beechcraft S-35 Bonanza arrived at Block Island Airport with three men aboard.  After the aircraft taxied to a stop, it was left in place with the engine running.  At that time the pilot exited the aircraft and stood on the wing to assist one of the other men from the cabin.  As this was happening, the third man went to switch his position within the cabin, and as he did so bumped into a seat in the cockpit which fell against the plane’s controls.  The aircraft suddenly lurched, throwing the pilot off the wing.  He hit the ground and struck his head against the pavement.  As the pilot lay bleeding, the aircraft began to spin wildly in circles until someone gained control of it.    

     At the time of the accident, another aircraft belonging to New England Airlines was preparing to take off.  The injured pilot was placed aboard and flown to a hospital in New London, Connecticut, in critical condition.  The pilot did not survive his injuries.       

     Sources:

     Providence Evening Bulletin, “One Badly Hurt At Isle Airport”, September 9, 1976, page B-1

     Providence Sunday Journal, “——— Heir Dead After Plane Accident”, September 12, 1976, Page B-2

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Civil Tagged With: , , , ,

Block Island Airport – August 25, 1974

October 18, 2017

Block Island Airport – August 25, 1974

     On August 25, 1975, three men, all members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, left Danbury, Connecticut, bound for Block Island, R.I., in a single-engine Beech Musketeer aircraft.  They arrived at Block Island at about 2:00 p.m., and as the plane approached the runway of Block Island State Airport, the engine lost power and the plane crash landed 93 feet short of the runway.  Two of the three men aboard suffered minor injuries.      

     This was the second aviation accident to occur in Rhode Island on this date.  Another man was killed when his homemade plane crashed into the water off Deluca’s Beach in Narragansett, R.I.  That accident is also posted on this website.

     Source:

     Westerly Sun, “Man Killed As Plane Crashes Off Scarborough State Beach”, August 26, 1974, Page 1.     

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Civil Tagged With: , , , ,
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