Cumberland R. I. Plane Crash | New England Aviation History

Cumberland, R. I. – January 23, 1948

March 1, 2024

Cumberland, Rhode Island – January 23, 1948

On the morning of January 23, 1948, a 21-year-old pilot from Boston took off from the Norwood, Massachusetts, Airport in a Piper Cub airplane for a practice flight. Once airborne, thick fog rolled in so the pilot began heading south towards Rhode Island to get clear of the fog. While over the town of Cumberland he ran out of gas and was obligated to make an emergency landing. The plane came down in Angell Field about 200 yards from Marshall Avenue.

The plane was not damaged, and the pilot was not hurt.

Source:

The Pawtucket Times, “Hub Pilot Unhurt In Forced Landing”, January 23, 1948, pg. 3.

Cumberland, R. I. – June 4, 1950

October 18, 2023

Cumberland, Rhode Island – June 4, 1950

On June 4, 1950, a single-engine Taylorcraft airplane with two men aboard crashed into a thickly wooded area of Cumberland. The plane did not catch fire, but the 19-year-old pilot and his 21-year-old passenger were severely injured. The pilot suffered a fractured skull, a broken arm, and internal injuries. Despite his injuries, he managed to crawl on the ground through the woods for a mile to get help. He came upon the farm of John Wright who notified authorities.

Due to his semi-conscious condition, the pilot was unable to give rescue workers the exact location of the plane. A search was instituted and police and fire fighters from Cumberland and Woonsocket, as well as the Massachusetts towns of Wrentham and Franklin, scoured the woods until they found the plane.

Source:

The Boston Globe, “Pilot Crawls Mile After R. I. Crash To Get Aid”, June 5, 1950, pg. 1. Submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.