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, 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, Falmouth, Massachusetts – June 15, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On June 15, 1944, a flight of F6F Hellcat aircraft were making practice carrier landings on a mock platform designed to resemble the deck of an aircraft carrier. One aircraft, (Bu. No. 58124), piloted by an Ensign, made a perfect landing, however the arresting cable broke sending the plane into a ground loop off the platform. The aircraft was damaged, but the pilot was not hurt.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report – dated June 15, 1944
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