Exeter, Rhode Island – April 29, 1946
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On April 29, 1946, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 79462), took off rom Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a familiarization training flight. While flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet over central Rhode Island, the engine began to make a clattering noise and the cockpit began to fill with a light smoke. The pilot radioed the Quonset Tower and was given clearance for an emergency landing. As the pilot steered towards Quonset, the oil pressure continued to drop and then the engine seized. The pilot made an emergency crash-landing in an open field in the town of Exeter. Although the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, the pilot was not hurt.
The aircraft was assigned to VF-18.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report dated April 29, 1946
