from author and historian Jim Ignasher
Otis Air Field – September 19, 1945
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On September 19, 1945, a pilot was making practice carrier landings at Otis Field when the Curtiss Helldiver aircraft he was piloting crash-landed during one of the landings. The aircraft, (Bu. No. 60177), was damaged, but the pilot was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 19, 1945.
Otis Air Field – June 29, 1945
Early U.S. Navy Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 29, 1945, a flight of navy Helldivers belonging to VB-74 were participating in a night flight carrier landing practice exercise at Otis Field when one aircraft, (Bu. No. 60105), was hit with a cross-wind causing the port wing to drop and hit the runway. The aircraft spun 45 degrees and as it did so the landing gear collapsed. The aircraft continued to skid for another 200 feet before coming to rest. Although the aircraft sustained major damage, the pilot was not hurt.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 29, 1945
Otis Air Field – May 5, 1945
Early U.S. Navy Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On May 5, 1945, a navy SBW-4E Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60116), was attempting to land at Otis Field with an overheating engine. It was the pilot’s first flight in such an aircraft. Just before touchdown, while at an altitude of about twenty-five feet, the aircraft dropped and crashed onto the runway, suffering two bent wings, a buckled fuselage, bent propeller, and damage to the engine. The pilot was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated May 5, 1945.
Otis Air Field, Massachusetts – April 19, 1946
TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On April 19, 1946, a flight of five navy TBM Avengers belonging to VT-82 were taking part in a practice carrier landing and take-off exercise at Otis Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts. After making several successful landings and take offs, one aircraft, (Bu. No. 85682), had its landing gear collapse upon touchdown. The aircraft then skidded on its belly for 125 yards before coming to rest. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft suffered significant damage.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated April 19, 1946
Otis Air Field, Massachusetts – September 13, 1946
TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On September 13, 1946, a group of several navy TBM Avengers were participating in a practice carrier landing training exercise during which each aircraft was making touch-and-go landings and take offs. At one point, (Bu. No. 91437), made a perfect approach and landing, but just after take off went into a near vertical climb. At the top of the climb the aircraft stalled and as it began to fall the pilot bailed out. The aircraft crashed and exploded. The pilot’s parachute deployed, but he suffered non-life-threatening injuries upon hitting the ground. There was nobody else aboard the plane at the time of the accident.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-42.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 13, 1946.
Otis Field, Massachusetts – November 19, 1945
TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On November 19, 1945, a TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 69004), with a lone pilot aboard, was was taking part in a training exercise making practice carrier landings and take-offs at Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts. While orbiting in a “traffic circle”, the pilot noted fluctuations in the fuel flow to the engine so he switched tanks. The engine ran smoothly for a few seconds and then suddenly quit, forcing the pilot to make an emergency wheels-up landing. The aircraft came down hard, crushing the bomb-bay doors and causing other serious damage to the plane. There was no fire upon impact, and the pilot was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-43
Source: U. S. Navy accident report, dated November 19, 1945
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