Norwood, Massachusetts – August 5, 1944
On the morning of August 5, 1944, the pilot of a navy F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58931), was practicing glide-angle training runs over the Norwood, Massachusetts, area when a sudden “jolt” occurred in the engine compartment followed by sections of cowling falling away, and oil spraying the windshield. Immediately afterwards the aircraft began trailing smoke. The pilot nursed the aircraft up from 1,500 feet to 2,500 feet where he bailed out. The plane came down and was destroyed. The pilot landed safely with a lacerated hand.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 5, 1944