Manchester, N.H. – May 20, 1979

Manchester, New Hampshire – May 20, 1979

 

Kaman Seasprite helicopter – built by Kaman Aircraft Corp, Bloomfield, Connecticut.

     On the morning of May 20, 1979, a U.S. Navy HH2-Delta Seasprite helicopter left Norfolk, Virginia, with five crewmen aboard, bound for the Brunswick, Maine, naval air station.  The crew was assigned to  Light Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 30, also known as HSL-30.  The purpose of the flight was for instrument training. 

     At about 9:30 a.m. the aircraft was passing over Manchester, New Hampshire, at an altitude of 5,000 feet when it suddenly went down and crashed near Manchester Airport.   The weather at the time was cloudy and raining.  

     All five crewmen were killed in the crash.  They were identified as:

     Lieutenant Commander Lynwood H. Duncan, 33, of Greensboro, North Carolina.  He’s buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina.

     Lieutenant Commander James P. Hogan, 34, of Davenport, Iowa.    

     Lieutenant Paul L. Mellott, Jr., 31, of Chesapeake, Virginia.  He’s buried in Rest Haven Cemetery in Hagerstown, Maryland.  He was survived by a wife and two children.

     Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Kennedy, 25, of Warminister, Penn.

     Airman Paul J. Dellas, 21, of San Jose, California.

     Sources:

     Providence Evening Bulletin, “Investigators Probe Helicopter Wreckage”, May 21, 1979, page A-4

     New York Times, “5 Killed As Navy Copter Crashes In Drizzle Near Manchester, N.H.”, May 21, 1979

     www.findagrave.com

Pease Air Force Base – April 15, 1958

Pease Air Force Base – April 15, 1958

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

    

RB-47E Stratojet U.S. Air Force Photo

RB-47E Stratojet
U.S. Air Force Photo

     On the night of April 15, 1958, a U.S. Air Force B-47E Stratojet, (#52-562), crashed on take off from Pease AFB in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The aircraft had risen to about 700 feet before it suddenly plunged into a swamp near the end of the runway and burst into flames.  The smoke from the fire could be see for fifteen miles.

     One witness to the accident later told a reporter, “I could see the plane spilling fuel, then it just lit up, as though on fire, before it crashed.”

    

     All four crewmen aboard were killed in the crash.  They were identified as:

     (Aircraft Commander) Captain Richard D. Burns, 27, of Royal Oak, Michigan.  He’s buried in Gilgal Cemetery in Heltonville, Indiana.  To see a photograph of  Capt. Burns, go to www.findagrave.com, Memorial #63005578.  

     (Pilot) 1st Lt. Edward S. Starley, 25, of Delta, Utah. He’s buried in Delta City Cemetery in Delta, UT.  He was survived by his wife Helen.  (For more info see www.findagrave.com, Memorial #42217304.

     (Navigator) 1st Lt. Edward S. McKinney, 25, of Casper, Wyoming.  He’s buried in Highland Cemetery in Casper, WY.  (See www.findagrave.com, Memorial #58413512.)

     (Crew Chief) S/Sgt. Jennings V. Ware, 23, of Webster, West Virginia.  He’s buried in Cool Spring Cemetery in Webster County, W.V.  To see more info go to www.findagrave.com, Memorial #93245519.

     All four men were assigned to the 830th Bomb Squadron, 509th Bomb Wing, stationed at Walker Air Force Base in New Mexico.  

     Sources:

     Nashua Telegraph, “Four Killed In Pease Jet Crash”, April 16, 1958

     www.findagrave.com  

Grenier Field, N.H. – March 1, 1942

Grenier Field, New Hampshire – March 1, 1942

   

Martin B-10 Bomber U.S. Air Force Photo

Martin B-10 Bomber
U.S. Air Force Photo

    On March 1, 1942, a B-10 aircraft, (Ser. No. 34-83) made a normal landing at Grenier Field during which the landing gear collapsed causing damage to the propellers and fuselage. 

     None of the five crewmen aboard were injured. 

     The crew included:

     Major C. H. Hollidge (National Guard- Federalized)  

     S/Sgt. W. P. Sargent

     Sgt. W. P. Kenly

     Sgt. E. L. Rajotte

     Pvt. E. E. Rich    

     The aircraft was assigned to the Tow Target Detachment.  It was noted by the accident investigation committee that the suspected cause was faulty brakes, and that other B-10’s in other Tow Target Detachments had suffered similar accidents.

     Source: Army Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-3-1-9

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