Auburn, ME. – September 21, 1946

Auburn, Maine – September 21, 1946   

Lockheed P-80 “Shooting Star”
U. S. Air Force Photo

     On September 21, 1946, an Army Air Forces – Civil Air Patrol airshow was taking place at the Lewiston-Auburn Airport.  One of the aircraft participating in the show was a Lockheed P-80A, (Ser. No. 44-85228), piloted by an Air Force captain from California.  The aircraft had the name “Minimum Goose” painted on it. 

     As the pilot was circling over the area, the aircraft developed engine trouble, and the pilot was forced to make a crash landing in an open field about a mile north of the airport.  The accident took place out of sight of the 5,000 spectators at the airport. 

     State police responded to guard the scene. 

     The pilot was not injured.    

     Source:

     The Evening Star, (Washington, D. C.), “Pilot Escapes Injury In Crash Of Jet Plane”, September 22, 1946.  

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