Block Island, Rhode Island – July 22, 1957

     On July 21, 1957, four men took off from the Woonsocket Airport in a 1946 Stinson 150 bound for Block Island, where they intended to spend the day, have dinner, and then fly home.  At 1:05 a.m. on the morning of July 22, the men took off from Block Island Airport for the return trip.  Shortly after becoming airborne the plane suddenly crashed in a thick brushy area about three miles from the airport and burst into flames.  All aboard perished.     

     The men were from Cumberland, R. I., Blackstone, Ma., North Smithfield, R. I. and Milford, Ma.  All had been long time friends. 

     Visibility at the time of the accident was hindered by darkness and patches of thick fog.   

     The cause of the accident is unknown.  

     Sources:

     Woonsocket Call, “Four Men Killed In City Plane Crash On Block Island”, July 22, 1957, pg.1.

     Woonsocket Call, “Last Man To See Quartet Alive Tells Of Takeoff, Crash, Flames”, July 22, 1957, pg. 1.  

     Woonsocket Call, “Pilots Gather At Airport Here, Stunned By Block I. Tragedy”, July 22, 1957, pg. 2.