Squantum Naval Air Station – January 10, 1943
On January 10, 1943, a flight of U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft were returning to the Squantum Naval Air station after an anti-submarine patrol flight over the Atlantic. One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 5564), landed too close behind the flight leader’s plane, and was caught in its slipstream. The slipstream caused 5564’s left wing to drop and hit the runway with enough force to dislodge two depth charges, but they did not explode. 5564 was still traveling fast enough for the pilot to give full throttle and remain airborne. The aircraft circled the field and came in for another landing attempt with flaps 1/3 down. The aircraft hit the tarmac 4/5 of the way down the runway during which point the left landing gear gave way and the aircraft skidded to a stop. The aircraft suffered substantial damage, but the two-man crew was not hurt.
This aircraft was repaired and put back into service. It was later involved in another accident on January 15, 1944 when the left landing gear collapsed while making an emergency landing at the Squantum Naval Air Station. There were no injuries.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5635, dated January 10, 1943.
U. S. Navy accident report $44-10990, dated January 15, 1944.