On March 9, 1966, an amphibious HU-16 assigned to the 143rd Air Commando Group stationed at T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island, crashed near Smithfield, Virginia, on a routine training flight. The cause was believed due to engine trouble. No distress calls were sent.
The dead were identified as (Pilot) Col. Robert H, Magown, 44, of Warwick, R.I., and (Co-pilot) Lt. Col. Edward F. Roberts, 42, of Swansea, Mass. Magown was the commanding officer of the 143rd.
Injured included Lt. Col. Siegel M. Dickman, of North Kingstown, Lt. Col. William W. Dube, of Warwick, Major Gulseppe Montecalvo, of East Greenwich, and M. Sgt. Charles R. Hennigan, of Warwick.
Brig. Gen. Robert W. Tucker of the RI National Guard said that the skill of Colonel McGowan in controlling the stricken aircraft “probably saved the lives” of the four injured men.
Source: Woonsocket Call, “Two RI Air National Guard Fliers Killed In Va. Crash”, March 10, 1966, page 1.