Off Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 21, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On October 21, 1945, Lt. (Jg.) T. R. Delehunt was piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70915), taking part of a training exercise off Block Island when he noticed grey smoke streaming from one side of his engine. After declaring an emergency, he set a course for Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Despite the smoke, all instruments were reading normal, until he came within the area of Point Judith. At that time his oil pressure began dropping, so he was re-directed to the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field. The oil pressure continued to fall, and as he neared Charlestown Beach the engine suddenly stopped. Lt. Delehunt was forced to make an emergency landing in the water, coming down about a 1/2 mile from shore. The aircraft was a total loss, but Delehunt was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated October 21, 1945
