Otis Air Field – May 5, 1945

Otis Air Field – May 5, 1945

 

Early U.S. Navy Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo

     On May 5, 1945, a navy SBW-4E Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60116), was attempting to land at Otis Field with an overheating engine.  It was the pilot’s first flight in such an aircraft.  Just before touchdown, while at an altitude of about twenty-five feet, the aircraft dropped and crashed onto the runway, suffering two bent wings, a buckled fuselage, bent propeller, and damage to the engine.  The pilot was not injured. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated May 5, 1945.   

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