F4U Corsair Bu. No. 81882 | New England Aviation History

South Kingstown, R. I. – July 16, 1953

April 2, 2026

South Kingstown, Rhode Island – July 16, 1953

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

On July 16, 1953, a flight of four navy F4U Corsairs took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a routine training flight. The planes flew to Worden’s Pond and engaged in what was described in the press as “target maneuvers”.

According to a civilian witness, the planes were overhead when one of them, (Bu. No. 81882), suddenly sideslipped from the group and dove towards the ground. It was his opinion that the pilot had aimed for the Rocky Brook Reservoir but missed.

The plane crashed in a field on Curtiss Corner Road and burst into flames. The pilot, Ensign John Robert Taylor, 24, of Ames, Iowa, was killed.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34220731/john-robert-taylor

As a point of fact, this aircraft had been involved in a ground accident at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in December of 1951. Click here fore more info.

Source:

Evening Bulletin, “Quonset Pilot Killed In Crash”, July 16, 1953, pg. 12.

Quonset Point, R. I. – December 27, 1951

December 10, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – December 27, 1951

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

On December 27, 1951, a aircraft mechanic was working on an F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 81882), which was parked outside. To the right of it, a short distance away, was another F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 96931). At one point the mechanic sat at the controls of 81882 and started the engine in order to check the instrument gauges. Just after doing so, the aircraft “jumped” the wheel chocks and lurched forward into an arc and crashed into the other Corsair causing damage to both aircraft. The mechanic was not injured.

As a point of fact, this aircraft was involved in a fatal crash on July 16, 1953. Click here for more information.

Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated December 27, 1951