from author and historian Jim Ignasher
Block Island, Rhode Island – July 4, 1967
Just before 5 p.m. on the evening of July 4, 1967, three Connecticut men attempted to take off from the Block Island Airport in a Piper Tri-Pacer when the plane crashed into an embankment on Central Road just opposite the airport. The plane was wrecked and all three were seriously injured. They were transported to Westerly Hospital in an ambulance airplane.
Source:
Evening Bulletin, “Block Island Plane Crash Cause Sought”, July 5, 1967, Pg. 28
Block Island, Rhode Island – August 6, 1969
On the night of August 6, 1969, three people took off in a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza from the Block Island Airport. Just after taking off, the plane crashed near Dodge’s Sandpit on Old Mill Road, about a mile west of the airport. One person was killed, and the other two received severe injuries.
It was reported that the plane had arrived earlier in the day, and that the engine had been serviced before it took off. The exact nature of the work was not specified.
Source:
Evening Bulletin, “Block Is. Plane crash Kills One, Injures 2”, August 7, 1969, Pg. 1.
Evening Bulletin, “Probe Of fatal Plane crash Begins On Block Island”, August 8, 1969, Pg. 13.
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.
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.
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
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