East Granby, Connecticut – May 7, 1954
F-51D Mustang
U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 7, 1954, Major Robert Anderstrom, 33, was piloting an F-51 Mustang from Mitchell Field on Long island, N.Y. to Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, when he crashed into a wooded hillside on the west side of historic Old Newgate Prison in East Granby. The subsequent explosion blasted the plane to pieces, and left a crater 12 feet deep, 20 feet wide, and 30 feet long.
One witness, Mrs. Frances B. Allen, recalled to reporters, “I thought it was a bomb it went up so fast.”
Major Anderstrom was an experienced pilot having served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was recalled to active duty in 1952 and assigned to the 131st Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Massachusetts Air National Guard based at Barnes Airport in Westfield, Mass. At the time of his accident he was the Commanding Officer of the 831st Replacement Training Squadron, and training officer for the 131st FIS. During his career he earned three air medals.
Anderstrom was survived by his wife Theresa and three young daughters. He’s buried at St. Thomas cemetery in West Springfield, Mass. To see a photo of Major Anderstrom, go to findagrave.com and see memorial #6722890
Sources:
Hartford Courant, “Air Guard Major Loses Life In East Granby Plane Crash” May 8, 1954.
Air Force Print News Today, Release # 030413, “104th Fighter Wing Remembers Fallen Heroes With F-100 Rededication”, April 30, 2013
Findagrave.com memorial # 6722890
