Laconia New Hampshire Plane Crash | New England Aviation History

Laconia, N. H. – January 4, 1999

January 14, 2025

Laconia, New Hampshire – January 4, 1999

On January 4, 1999, two men took off from Laconia Airport in a Lake LA1-200 seaplane that could land in both water and on land. They pair were bound for Manchester Airport, but not long into the flight the aircraft developed engine trouble and the plane crash landed in a field, flipped on its back and broke into pieces, before bursting into flame. Four men working at a nearby tool business ran to the wreck and were able to rescue one of the occupants. The other occupant perished.

Source:

Derry News, “P—— Survives Plane Crash”, January 8, 1999.

Laconia, N. H. – July 22, 1945

January 10, 2021

Laconia, New Hampshire – July 22, 1945

At 6:55 p.m. on the evening of July 22, 1945, what was described by the press as a two-seat “light civilian airplane” took off from the Laconia Airport for a pleasure flight over the area. The pilot was a 23-year-old Army Air Force 2nd lieutenant due to be discharged on August 29th. His passenger was a 22-year-old local girl whom he’d know since they were children.

After circling the town of Gilford, they flew over the female passenger’s home, and then over the pilot’s home. While passing low over the pilot’s home the aircraft’s right wing struck the top of a tall tree about twenty-five feet from the house. The impact tore the wing off and the plane crashed into a wooded section across the street and exploded in flame. Neither occupant survived.

The crash was witnessed by the pilot’s mother.

Source: The Nashua Telegram, “Two Killed In Laconia Plane Crash”, July 23, 1945, page 12.