Otis Field – September 18, 1945

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 Field – September 10, 1944

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.

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