Londonderry, N. H. – May 20, 1979

Londonderry, New Hampshire – May 20, 1979        

Kaman Seasprite helicopter – built by Kaman Aircraft Corp, Bloomfield, Connecticut.

     At 9:30 a.m. on the morning of May 20, 1979, a U. S. Navy HH-2D Seasprite Helicopter on a routine training flight crashed in a field on Alexander Road in the town of Londonderry.   The aircraft broke apart and burned upon impact scattering debris across the area.  None of the five crewmen aboard survived. 

     The helicopter was on a navigational training flight from Norfolk, Virginia, to Brunswick, Maine, and had refueled at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, mass.   

     The crew were identified as:

     Lt. Cmdr. John P. Hogan, 34, of Devenport, Iowa. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191342241/john-patrick-hogan

     Lt. Cmdr. Linwood Duncan, 34, of Greensboro, N. C. 

     Lt. Paul Mellot, 31, of Funkstown, Maryland. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188260383/paul-lloyd-mellott

     Petty Officer 2/C Michael Kennedy, 25, of Warminster, Penn. 

     Airman Apprentice Paul Dellas, 21, of san Jose, Ca. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133442158/paul-james-dellas

     All were married and stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. 

     Source:

     Derry News, (N.H.), “Five Servicemen Die In Copter Disaster”, May 24, 1979.

Return to Top ▲Return to Top ▲