Otis Air Force Base – May 14, 1950
U.S.A.F. F-86 Fighter Jet
On Sunday morning, May 14, 1950, Major William C. Routt had just completed a training flight in a F-86 Sabre jet, (#49-1104), and was approaching runway five at Otis AFB in Falmouth, Massachusetts, when his plane suddenly dove into the ground and exploded near the end of the runway. The crash occurred close to the southeast gate leading to Sandwich Road.
Major Routt was the operations officer of the 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He began his Air Force career in 1941, and served in Alaska and England during World War II earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Croix de Guerre, and the Air Force Medal with eight oak leaf clusters.
Sources:
Woonsocket Call, (R.I.), “Squadron Officer Killed In Jet’s Bay State Crash”, May 15, 1950
Falmouth Enterprise, “Major Routt Dies In Crash Of F-86”, May 19, 1950
Aviation Safety Network
