North Adams Massachusetts Plane Crash | New England Aviation History

Mt. Fitch, MA. – March 18, 1983

November 22, 2018

Mt. Fitch, North Adams, Massachusetts – March 18, 1983

On March 18, 1983, A Mitsubishi Marquise, (#N473MA), with two men aboard left New Jersey bound for North Adams, Massachusetts. As the aircraft was approaching Hirriman & West Airport in North Adams, it crashed into the north slope of Mt. Fitch at about the 2,700 foot level of the 3,110 foot tall mountain. The weather at the time of the accident was poor, with high winds and low visibility. Neither occupant survived.

Rescue crews had to wade through waist deep snow and mountainous terrain to reach the crash site.

Sources:

Providence Evening Bulletin, “Downed Plane Found Crashed In Side Of Mt. Fitch, in Mass.”, March 20, 1983,page A-7

Aviation Safety Network, Wikibase #38786

North Adams, MA – September 12, 1999

December 12, 2016

North Adams, Massachusetts – September 12, 1999

On September 12, 1999, an airshow was held at Harriman Airport in North Adams, to celebrate the airports 50th anniversary. During one part of the show, two vintage military aircraft were conducting a low level fly-past when they collided in mid air. One aircraft was a twin-engine Cessna, and the other an L-19.

There were conflicting reports as to how the accident occurred, however it was felt that neither pilot saw the other’s aircraft due to their vantage point.

The accident happened in view of thousands of spectators – none of whom were hurt.

One aircraft crashed in a marshy area near the end of the runway and exploded, while the other went down in cornfield in the neighboring town of Williamstown. Both pilots were killed.

The pilots were identified as George Shelton, 68, of Boston, and Paulus Kraaijvanger, 67, of North Stonington, Connecticut.

Sources:

Union News, “Air Crash Claims Pilot’s Lives”, September 13, 1999.

Westerly Sun, “Two Pilots Killed At Air Show”, September 13, 1999

Cape Cod Times, “Two Pilots Die In Crash At Air Show In N. Adams”, September 13, 1999