Charlestown, Rhode Island – November 30, 1948
F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On November 30, 1948, an F8F-1B Bearcat, (Bu. No. 121470), left Quonset Point Naval Air Station bound for the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Station to conduct simulated aircraft carrier practice landings. While the pilot was making his first landing attempt, the aircraft crashed and skidded 231 feet, causing the belly tank to rupture and set the plane ablaze. The pilot was able to extricate himself and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft was consumed by fire.
The aircraft was assigned to VF-173.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated November 30, 1948.
