Smithfield, Rhode Island – January 9, 1942

     On January 9, 1942, two young men took off from the Smithfield Airport in a four-passenger Stinson cabin monoplane for a routine flight about the area. The plane belonged to the Nelson Aircraft School based at the airport.  (This airport was located where Bryant University is today, and should not be confused with North Central State Airport which is currently in Smithfield.) 

     After circling the area for about fifteen minutes the engine began to sputter and cut out causing the pilot to search for a place to make an emergency landing.  Looking below he saw an open field at the Connors Brothers Dairy Farm on Mann School Road and aimed for it.  Unfortunately, the plane lost altitude too quickly and clipped off the top of an apple tree while still 200 feet from the open field.  The plane continued on and clipped off two more apple trees before crashing into the orchard totally wrecked.   

     Despite the damage to the plane both men were relatively unhurt and after extricating themselves they walked to the Connors farmhouse and were taken by automobile to the office of Dr. Vernon Babington in Greenville. 

     The pilot later told police that he believed ice had formed in the carburetor.   

     Source:

      Evening Bulletin, “2 In Smithfield Plane Accident”, January 10, 1942, Pg. 22.