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 Field – September 18, 1945
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On September 18, 1945, a mechanic was working on a U. S. Navy Curtiss Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60110), which was parked near another Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60182). The mechanic started the engine and turned it up to full power, which caused the aircraft to jump its wheel chocks and drive itself into the other Helldiver. The airplane that the mechanic was working on was damaged beyond repair, while the second plane suffered heavy damage. There were no injuries.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 18, 1945
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, Falmouth, Massachusetts – September 10, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
Just after 2 p.m. on September 10, 1944, a U. S. Navy SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 54180), with two men aboard, took off from Otis Filed. The pilot was a navy ensign. The second man was Army Sergeant James Edwin Senter, (21 or 22).
The aircraft was seen to climb several hundred feet before it suddenly went into a downward spin to the left. The pilot managed to jump clear of from an altitude of 500 feet, and his parachute opened just before he hit the ground. Although injured, he would survive.
Meanwhile the aircraft crashed just twenty feet away killing Sergeant Senter.
Sergeant Senter is buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the army in 1940 at the age of 18. To see a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com, Memorial #173920812.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 10, 1944.
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
Otis Air Force Base – June 5, 1947
On June 5, 1947, Ensign Orin William Ross, (24), was piloting a navy dive bomber making practice landings and take offs at Otis Air Force Base in Falmouth, Massachusetts. While making a practice landing, the aircraft suddenly stalled and crashed onto the runway and exploded, killing Ensign Ross. Ensign Ross was assigned to Carrier Squadron VA-17A stationed at Quonset Naval Air station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
The exact type of aircraft was not stated.
Ensign Ross is buried in Bristow cemetery in Bristow, Oklahoma. To see a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com, #25974219.
Source: Cape Cod Standard Times, “Flyer Killed At Otis Field”, June 6, 1947, page 1
Otis Field, Falmouth, Massachusetts – June 14, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
In the early morning hours of June 14, 1944, a flight of navy aircraft were returning from a night training flight. As one of the aircraft, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58145), was coming in to land, the pilot forgot to lower the landing gear, and belly landed on the runway before skidding to a stop. The aircraft was badly damaged, but the pilot was uninjured.
The aircraft was assigned to Fighter Squadron 81, (VF-81)
Source: U.S. Navy Crash Investigation Report, dated June 14, 1944
Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts – March 20, 1945
F4U Corsair
National Archives Photo
On March 20, 1945, Ensign Richard C. Forisso was piloting an F4U-1D Corsair, (Bu. No. 50513), over Plymouth Bay making practice bomb runs. At one point while at 4,000 feet, hydraulic fluid and gasoline began spraying from under the instrument panel followed by smoke filling the cockpit. The fluids got all over the pilot’s lower extremities and partially obscured his vision.
Ensign Forisso elected to stay with the aircraft and aim it for a safe area of the water away from shore and watercraft. He cut the engine and made a wheels up water landing, suffering minor cuts and bruises in the process. He was able to escape before the plane sank to the bottom.
Maintenance records showed that the hydraulic lines on this particular aircraft had broken twice previously. Rough weather put off the recovery of the aircraft for four days. Once it was recovered, mechanics discovered a 1/2 inch crack in the hydraulic line behind the instrument panel. This aircraft was later scrapped due to the time it had stayed submerged in salt water.
Sources:
U.S. Navy accident brief.
Cape Cod Standard Times, “Otis Field Airman Prevents Crash On Plymouth Buildings”, March 21, 1945
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