from author and historian Jim Ignasher
Otis Field, Massachusetts – September 19, 1946
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On September 19, 1946, an navy SBW-5 Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60238), ground looped upon landing at Otis Field, causing severe damage to the aircraft, but the lone pilot was not injured.
Otis Navy Auxiliary Air Field – June 30, 1947
On June 30, 1947, a navy Culver TD2C-1, target drone, (Bu. No. 120128), was scheduled to take off from Otis Field for a remote radio control test flight. Aboard was a safety pilot assigned to VU-5.
The aircraft was to be controlled by a radio signal originating from a transmitting device on the ground, operated by a radio control officer. The safety pilot was to take over if something should go wrong with the radio signals.
After a pre-flight inspection, the aircraft was cleared for take off, and the radio officer took control of the plane. The aircraft started down the runway, and after covering about 1,500 feet it lifted from the ground in a slightly nose-high attitude. When it reached an altitude of about 25 feet it suddenly began to wobble from side to side, and lose altitude. The left wing struck the runway and the drone cartwheeled across a ravine and came to rest 75 feet from the initial point of impact.
Remarkably the safety pilot wasn’t injured, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 30, 1947
Otis Field – November 1, 1948
TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On November 1, 1948, a navy TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 85811), was making practice touch-and-go landings when the landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded for 225 feet on its belly. Although the aircraft sustained damage, there were no injuries.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated November 1, 1948
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 Field, Massachusetts – April 23, 1946
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
At 4:36 p.m., on the afternoon of April 23, 1946, a navy SB2C Helldiver, (Bu. No. 85265), was coming in to land at Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, when the aircraft stalled on approach and crashed, ending up on its back and bursting into flames. The pilot was rescued, but suffered severe burns and a lacerated scalp.
The pilot had come from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island and was assigned to Fighter Bomber Squadron 18, (VB-18).
There was nobody else aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated April 23, 1946.
Otis Field, Massachusetts – May 12, 1944
On May 12, 1944, a U. S. Navy Howard NH-1 aircraft, (Bu. No. 44913), ground looped after landing at the Otis Army Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The right wing and aileron were damaged but no injuries were reported.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report #44-44085, dated May 12, 1944.
Otis Field, Massachusetts – May 5, 1944
On May 5, 1944, a U. S. Navy Howard NH-1 aircraft, (Bu. No. 29446), was landing in a strong crosswind at Otis Army Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, when the plane ground looped after touchdown. The left wing and aileron were damaged, but the three men aboard were not injured.
This aircraft had been involved in a previous accident on September 25, 1943 when it crash-landed in a cross-wind at Westerly, Rhode Island. There were no injuries.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-43906, dated May 5, 1944
U. S. Navy accident report #44-8786, dated September 25, 1943
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