Newport, R. I. – February 19, 1954

October 21, 2023

Newport, Rhode Island – February 19, 1954   

SNJ Trainer Aircraft
U. S. Navy Photo

     On February 19, 1954, a navy SNJ-4 training plane, (Bu. No. 27521), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air station with two men aboard.  At some point the plane developed a mechanical problem and crashed and exploded into the water off Easton’s Beach in Newport.  Both men were killed instantly.  

     There were identified as:

     Lieutenant Commander Delloyd Stranahan of Bloomfield, New Jersey.

     Airman Henry E. Harmon, of St. Clair, Michigan.  

     Source:

     Newport Daily News, “Navy Seeks Cause Of Plane Disaster At Easton’s Beach”, February 22, 1954.  Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian. 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Narragansett Bay, R. I. – November 10, 1952

October 21, 2023

Narragansett Bay, November 10, 1952

     On November 10, 1952, navy Lieutenant James McCarran, (31), was making a landing approach to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a Grumman Guardian aircraft, (Bu. No. 126784), when his plane lost power and he crashed into the water about 75 feet from the runway.  Lt. McCarran did not survive, and his body was later recovered.

     McCarran was a decorated veteran of WWII, and had recently returned to active duty.  He was survived by a wife and child. 

     Sources:

     North Adams Transcript, (MA.), Body of Navy Flyer Recovered from Narragansett Bay”, November 13, 1952. Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.     

     Other info supplied by Larry Webster, aviation historian.     

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 25, 1946

February 9, 2022

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 25, 1946 

 

SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo

     On March 25, 1946, an SBW-4E Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60126), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight.  Upon landing the aircraft collided with another Helldiver, which was parked and unoccupied, shearing its tail section off.   Both aircraft were heavily damaged, but the pilot was not hurt.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report, dated March 25, 1946

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 25, 1946

February 9, 2022

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – March 25, 1946 

 

SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo

    On March 25, 1946, an SBW-4e Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60113), was practicing take offs and landings at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  On one of the takeoffs the aircraft suddenly lost power and crash landed.  The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft suffered heavy damage. 

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report, dated March 25, 1946  

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – August 18, 1950

January 18, 2022

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 18, 1950

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

    On August 18, 1950, a flight of sixteen F4U Corsairs was returning to the Quonset Point NAS after a formation training flight.  As the aircraft were in the process of breaking formation in preparation for landing, two of them, Bu. No. 97173, and Bu. No. 96898 were involved in a mid-air collision.  The tail section of #97173 was torn away and the plane plummeted from 1,000 feet and crashed just 15 feet from Hangar 3.  The pilot, Lieutenant Commander Robert Lyons Jungklas, did not survive.  The other aircraft was also damaged, but landed safely.

     The aircraft were assigned to VF-74 at Quonset NAS. 

     To see a photo of Lt. Cmdr. Jungklas, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210654567/robert-l-jungklas

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated August 18, 1950

     The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Lt. Comdr. Jungkles Killed In Rhode Island Crash”, August 21, 1950  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

North Atlantic – July 3, 1941

August 9, 2021

North Atlantic – July 3, 1941 

     On July 3, 1941, a U. S. Navy PBY-5 Catalina (Bu. No. 2347), with seven crewmen aboard took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island bound for Iceland.  The aircraft was assigned to VP-72, which was being transferred from Quonset to provide cover for U. S. Marine Corps occupation forces stationed in Iceland.

     The flight was to be instrument flight rules due to zero visibility with cumulus clouds extending to about 18,000 feet.  The plane never arrived at its destination, and what happened to it is unknown.  Navy investigators theorized that an onboard fire may have occurred due to a leak in the temporary hull tank installation, or that the aircraft entered a spin while flying on instruments and never recovered.  The official cause of the accident is listed as “Unknown”.

     The missing crewmen were identified as follows:

     Pilot: Ensign Robert C. McKown of Atlanta, Georgia. 

     Co-Pilot: Ensign Joseph C. Haskel of Charleston, South Carolina

     AMM1c Wyman Richard Van Liere, (28), of Liberty, Arizona.  The Navy report lists the last name only as “Liere”, but newspaper accounts state the last name is Van Liere. 

     AMM1c Linton Melmus England, (32), of Long Beach, California.

     AMM3c Anthony Henry Gazafy, (28), of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  His birthday was the same day the plane disappeared.  He was 28. 

     RM1c Claude Andrew Ashley, (34), of Garden City, Kansas. 

     RM3c Lyn Elliott Dunlap, (20), of Mountain, Wisconsin.  

     Despite a search which lasted for more than two weeks no trace of the missing aircraft was ever found.  

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy accident report #3043 dated July 3, 1941

     Wilmington Morning Star, “Patrol Plane Lost At Sea”, July 8, 1941, pg. 10.

     Evening Star,(Wash. D.C.), “Navy Abandons Search For Plane Carrying 7” July 24, 1941, page B-2.  

     The Mercury, (Pottstown, PA.), “U.S. Navy Plane Reported Missing With Seven Men On Atlantic Patrol”, July 8, 1941 

 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 2, 1943

April 13, 2021

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – March 2, 1943

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

      At 8 p.m. on the night of March 2, 1943, a U. S. Navy F4F-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 12193), was making a night landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when it hit the slipstream of the aircraft in front of it and crash-landed causing major damage to the aircraft.  The pilot was not injured.    

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report #43-6128 dated March 2, 1943.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – April 3, 1947

January 23, 2021

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – April 3, 1947 

 

U. S. Navy F7F Tigercat

     On April 3, 1947, an F7F-1N Tigercat aircraft, (Bu. No. 60282), was in the process of taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight when the aircraft lost power as it was rolling down the runway.  The pilot attempted to abort the take off by reducing throttle and applying the brakes.  Due to the speed the aircraft was moving, the brakes burned out and the tires blew and the aircraft left the runway and nosed over.  The pilot was not injured. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated April 3, 1947

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – November 1, 1948

January 23, 2021

Quonset Point, Naval Air Station – November 1, 1948, and January 1, 1949

 

U. S. Navy F7F Tigercat

     On November 1, 1948, an F7F-2D Tigercat aircraft, (Bu. No. 80341), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station bound for Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod.   About five miles east of Quonset Point the latch to the front portion of the cockpit canopy let loose and the canopy slid back and broke away with such force that it caused damage to the rear portion of the canopy, as well as to one of the rear tail fins and the vertical stabilizer.  The pilot declared an emergency and landed safely back at Quonset.

     This same aircraft was later involved in another incident in which equipment malfunctioned.  On January 29, 1949, the aircraft took off from Quonset NAS for a cross-country training flight.  Shortly after takeoff the fuel tank hook assembly came unlocked and lodged in the port wing.  The pilot declared an emergency and returned to Quonset.  The aircraft landed tail-down causing damage to the tail section.     

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated November 1, 1948.     

     U. S. Navy accident report dated January 29, 1949

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 14, 1951

December 16, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – June 14, 1951

     On June 14, 1951, the pilot of a Grumman AF Guardian aircraft, (Bu. No. 124791), was practicing carrier landings and take-offs at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  After making three successful landings and take-offs, the pilot landed for a fourth time.  After rolling fifty feet the landing gear suddenly collapsed and the aircraft skidded along the runway to a stop.  The cause was determined to be a leak in the hydraulic system.   The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft required a major overhaul. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 14, 1951 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 27, 1952

December 16, 2020

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 27, 1952

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

    On March 27, 1952, an AD-4 Skyraider aircraft, (Bu. No. 129005), made a “wheels -up” landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station causing substantial damage to the aircraft.   The pilot was not injured. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated March 27, 1952 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – September 7, 1951

December 10, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – September 7, 1951

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

     On September 7, 1951, an F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 81397), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight.  A short time prior, a severe weather system had moved through the area which left puddles of water on the runway.  Upon landing, the aircraft ran into a puddle and ground-looped off the runway suffering damage.  The pilot was not injured. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 7, 1951.       

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – September 13, 1951

December 10, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – September 13, 1951

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

     On September 13, 1951, an F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 81479), was taking off from runway 19 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  Immediately after becoming airborne, but while still over the runway, the pilot retracted the landing gear, and as he did so the plane settled back to the runway and briefly scraped the ground before bouncing back up and remaining airborne.  The pilot managed to circle the field and make a successful emergency landing.  The aircraft suffered damage to the propeller, the engine, the auxiliary fuel tank, and the landing gear doors.  The pilot was not injured.      

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 13, 1951.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – September 20, 1951

December 10, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – September 20, 1951

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

     At 11:30 p.m. on the night of  September 20, 1951, a flight of four F4U Corsairs were returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a night navigational training flight, and were instructed to land on runway 19.  The first two aircraft landed without incident. The third plane to land was Bu. No. 96936, which made a normal landing and was continuing its rollout towards the taxi area when the pilot noticed another F4U rushing up on him from behind.  The other aircraft coming up from behind was the fourth plane in the flight, (Bu. No. 51416), the pilot of which had landed too fast and was in the process of overtaking the plane ahead of it. 

     The pilot of 96936 applied full throttle and attempted to get out of the way of 51416, but was unable to do so in time, and the rear plane collided with the one ahead of it causing substantial damage to both aircraft.  Fortunately neither pilot was reported to be injured.     

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 20, 1951

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – September 25, 1951

December 10, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – September 25, 1951

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

     On September 25, 1951, the pilot of an F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 80992), was making practice touch-and-go-landings on runway 19 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  After making five successful landings, he attempted a sixth, and upon touch-down the left-side landing gear collapsed.  The aircraft skidded 600 feet before coming to rest.  The pilot was not injured.  

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 25, 1951. 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – December 27, 1951

December 10, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – December 27, 1951

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

     On December 27, 1951, an aircraft mechanic was working on an F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 81882), which was parked outside.  To the right of it, a short distance away, was another F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 96931).  At one point the mechanic sat at the controls of 81882 and started the engine in order to check the instrument gauges.  Just after doing so, the aircraft “jumped” the wheel chocks and lurched forward into an arc and crashed into the other Corsair causing damage to both aircraft.  The mechanic was not injured. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated December 27, 1951    

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – May 31, 1950

November 18, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – May 31, 1950

 

P2V Neptune
U.S. Air Force Photo

     On May 31, 1950, a P2V-4 Neptune, (Bu. No. 124216), crash landed on the runway while attempting to land at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  The cloud ceiling at the time was only between 75 to 100 feet with heavy ground fog conditions.  The aircraft suffered considerable damage but the six-man crew was not injured. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated May 31, 1950. 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point – September 17, 1951

November 18, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – September 17, 1951 

 

P2V Neptune
U.S. Air Force Photo

     On September 17, 1951, a P2V-4 Neptune, (Bu. No. 124235), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight.  The weather was poor with low visibility.  The aircraft ran off the end of the runway and over a sea wall and came to rest with one wing in the water and the other against the seawall.  The aircraft was damaged beyond repair but the five men aboard were not injured.     

     The aircraft was assigned to VF-7.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 17, 1951 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Buzzards Bay, MA. – February 13, 1950

August 21, 2020

Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts – February 13, 1950

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the morning of February 13, 1950, a flight of navy AD-3 Skyraider aircraft took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island for a dive-bombing training flight over Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, in the area of the Elizabeth Islands.  One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 122849), was piloted by Midshipman Philip Kuehl. 

     At 10:02 a.m., Midshipman Kuehl was making a high-speed dive-bomb run at a surface target when his aircraft inexplicably crashed into the water  and exploded on impact in the area between Gull Island and Nashawena Island. (41-26N, 70-54W) 

     Neither the aircraft or the pilot were recovered.   The exact cause of the accident could not be determined by the naval investigation board.    

Philip Kuehl
High School graduation, 1946
Courtesy of Paul Kuehl.

 Midshipman Kuehl was assigned to VA-34 at Quonset Point NAS. 

     Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report dated February 13, 1950, courtesy of Paul D. Kuehl, nephew of the pilot.   

Filed Under: Massachusetts - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point NAS – January 19, 1951

August 8, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – January 19, 1951

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On January 19, 1951, an AD-4 Skyraider, (Bu. No. 123893), was completing a landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the aircraft nosed over.  The aircraft was damaged but the pilot was not hurt. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated January 1, 1951 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point NAS – February 5, 1951

August 8, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – February 5, 1951

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On February 5, 1951, two AD-4 Skyraider aircraft, (Bu. No. 123902, and Bu. No. 123900), collided with each other while taxiing resulting in significant damage to both aircraft.  Neither pilot was injured.  The accident was blamed on inadequate snow plowing by ground personnel.  

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated February 5, 1951.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point NAS – August 25, 1951

August 8, 2020

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 25, 1951

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On August 25, 1951, an AD-4 Skyraider, (Bu. No. 124766), was returning from a training flight to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the landing gear collapsed upon touchdown.  The aircraft skidded to a stop.  Although the aircraft suffered damage to its underside, the pilot was not injured.   

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-12 at Quonset Point. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated August 25, 1951 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Narragansett Bay – November 15, 1951

August 8, 2020

Narragansett Bay – November 15, 1951

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

   On November 15, 1951, a navy AD-4 Skyraider, (Bu. No. 124077), took off from Runway 23 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a routine training flight.  Shortly after becoming airborne the engine lost power and the aircraft went down in the waters of Narragansett Bay about a mile from the end of the runway.  The pilot was rescued and the aircraft recovered. 

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-12 stationed at Quonset Point. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated November 15, 1951    

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point – July 16, 1951

December 12, 2019

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – July 16, 1951

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On July 16, 1951, a navy TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 85614), made a normal landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the landing gear collapsed just after touchdown.  The aircraft skidded on its belly to a stop.  The aircraft suffered major damage, but the crew was not injured. 

     Source; U. S. Navy accident report dated July 16, 1951. 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point – May 12, 1950

December 11, 2019

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – May 12, 1950

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the morning of May 12, 1950, a flight of two navy TBM-3E Avengers were scheduled to leave the Quonset Point Naval Air Station and fly cross-country to Grouse Isle, Michigan, and then on to Minneapolis, Minn. 

     Both aircraft taxied into position for takeoff on Runway 34.  Bu. No. 85516, piloted by a Commander, was to be the lead plane, and Bu. No. 85813, piloted by Ensign Roland S. Warde III, (22), was to be the “wing man”. 

     When it was Ensign Warde’s turn to take off, he applied full throttle and traveled 700 feet down the runway before leaving the ground at which time his aircraft began to go into a steep climb.  Moments later the aircraft stalled, and fell back to the runway where it burst into flame. 

     There were two passengers aboard Ensign Warde’s aircraft, and both managed to escape with non-life-threatening injuries.  Ensign Warde perished in the fire.     

     Ensign Warde is buried in Highland Cemetery in Norwood, Massachusetts. 

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy accident report 

     www.findagrave.com, Memorial #129127377

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Narragansett Bay – November 15, 1948

December 11, 2019

Narragansett Bay – November 15, 1948

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On November 15, 1948, a navy TBM-3E, (Bu. No. 86282), was making practice touch-and-go landings at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  After making a successful landing the pilot took off again, but as the aircraft was gaining altitude the engine lost power and the plane went down in Narragansett Bay.   The pilot was rescued, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.   

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-12.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated November 15, 1948.  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Narragansett Bay – August 12, 1948

December 10, 2019

Narragansett Bay – August 12, 1948

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On August 12, 1948, a pilot was to take part in a practice take-offs and landings training exercise at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  The pilot took of in a TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 53502), and went out over Narragansett Bay.  At an altitude of 600 feet he began a slow right turn and as he was doing so lost visibility and went to instruments.  Before corrections could be made the aircraft crashed into the bay.  The pilot was rescued, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.  

     The aircraft was assigned to VA-75.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated August 12, 1948.

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Narragansett Bay – August 9, 1948

December 9, 2019

Narragansett Bay – August 9, 1948

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

      On August 9, 1948, a navy TBM-3E, (Bu. No. 63795), was engaged in making practice touch-and-go landings at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, when the aircraft lost power and went down in Narragansett Bay.  The aircraft sank and was later determined to be damaged beyond repair.  The pilot escaped, and was rescued by a Quonset crash boat.  Nobody else was aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident.   

     The aircraft was assigned to VA-75.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated August 9, 1948.  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 4, 1947

December 9, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 4, 1947 

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On June 4, 1947, a navy TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 53151), was making a series of touch-and-go landings at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  While making a normal landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft skidded 300 yards to a stop.  The pilot and radio operator were not injured, but the aircraft sustained significant damage. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 4, 1947.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 6, 1951

July 27, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 6, 1951

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

     On February 6, 1951, a navy F4U-4 Corsair was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in strong cross-winds when one wing struck a snowbank causing the plane to ground loop.  There was damage to the aircraft but the pilot was not injured.

     Source:  U. S. Navy accident report dated February 6, 1951.   

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 19, 1946

July 15, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 19, 1946

 

SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo

     On the morning of February 19, 1946, a flight of six navy SB2C Helldiver aircraft were returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight.   After all had landed safely, they taxied in a line to an area where the “taxi line men” were to meet them.  When they reached the area, the first plane came to a stop, as did the following four aircraft.  However, the pilot of the sixth aircraft, (Bu. No. 82867), didn’t realize the planes had stopped and drove into the back of the fifth aircraft.  The propeller of the sixth plane sliced into the rear stabilizer of the fifth plane.  Both aircraft were damaged, but neither pilot was injured.  

     Source:

     U. S. Navy report dated February 19, 1946.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – October 7, 1943

June 25, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – October 7, 1943 

 

U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo

     On the morning of October 7, 1943, a navy FM-1 Wildcat, (Bu. No. 15193), was in the process of landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when a strong crosswind blew it off the runway as it was touching down.  The aircraft ground-looped at high speed and was heavily damaged.  The pilot was not injured.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-8979, dated October 7, 1943.

 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Atlantic Ocean – September 15, 1948

June 19, 2019

Atlantic Ocean – September 15, 1948

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On September 15, 1948, a navy F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 121561), left the Quonset Point Naval Air Station to rendezvous with the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Leyte, (CV-32), operating off the coast of New England.  As the aircraft was making its landing approach to the carrier the engine suddenly lost all power.  The pilot immediately dropped the belly tank and retracted the landing gear and made an emergency water landing.  The pilot was able to escape before the plane sank and was rescued a short time later.  The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the aircraft was not recovered.

     The pilot was assigned to Fighter Squadron 71 at Quonset Point. (VF-71)     

     The accident occurred at 19 degrees 32.5 north/75 degrees27.7 west. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 15, 1948.

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 7, 1946

June 19, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 7, 1946 

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On February 7, 1946, a navy F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 94861), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the landing gear collapsed just after touchdown.  The aircraft skidded to a stop and there was no fire.  Although the plane suffered extensive damage, the pilot received only minor injuries.

     The aircraft was assigned to Fighter Squadron 18, (VF-18).  

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated February 7, 1946.

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 1, 1944

June 19, 2019

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 1, 1944

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On the afternoon of July 1, 1944, a ground collision occurred between two aircraft on Runway 19 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  An F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42300), taxied into the back of an SNJ-5 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 51651).  The SNJ-5 was damaged beyond repair, but there were no injuries reported from those aboard either aircraft.     

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated July 1, 1944.

North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 17, 1944

June 16, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 17, 1944

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the afternoon of February 17, 1944, a navy TBF-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 48027), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the landing gear collapsed shortly after touchdown. The aircraft skidded for over 900 feet before coming to rest.  The aircraft suffered major damage but the three-man crew was not injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Four, (VT-4).

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #44-11785, dated February 17, 1944.  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 13, 1942

June 14, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – March 13, 1942 

 

North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo

     On March 3, 1942, a navy SNJ-3 trainer aircraft, (BU. No. 6911), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a night training flight.  Just after touchdown the pilot realized the brakes weren’t working, and the aircraft went off the end of the runway and nosed over.  The pilot was not injured.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated March 13, 1942.    

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – August 22, 1944

June 13, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 22, 1944

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On the night of August 22, 1944, a flight of navy F6F Hellcat fighters were taking part in a night-carrier-landing-practice exercise at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, when one of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 70169), landed with its landing gear still in the “up” position.  The plane skidded to a stop and suffered significant damage, but the pilot was not injured.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated August 22, 1944.      

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – August 21, 1944

June 13, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 21, 1944

 

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

      In the early morning hours of August 21, 1944, a flight of navy F6F Hellcat fighters were making night practice landings and take offs at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  At 2:00 a.m., one aircraft, (Bu. No. 58106), came in for its fifth landing, but the landing gear remained in a retracted position.  The Hellcat made a wheels-up landing and skidded to a stop causing damage to the aircraft, but the pilot wasn’t injured.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated August 21, 1944.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 14, 1942

June 11, 2019

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 14, 1942

 

U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo

     On the night of July 14, 1942, a flight of navy aircraft were participating in a night-carrier-landing-drill at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  One of the aircraft was an F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 02137).   The flight circle took the planes out over Narragansett Bay.      

     As the Wildcat was making its landing approach from an altitude of 300 feet over the Bay, its engine suddenly lost all power.  The pilot was able to glide the plane in to make an emergency water landing just off shore.  The pilot was able to extricate himself before the plane sank in 18 feet of water.  The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

     The pilot was assigned to Fighter Squadron 41, (VF-41)

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-4487, dated July 14, 1942.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – January 30, 1943

June 11, 2019

Quonset Point, R. I. – January 30, 1943

 

U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo

     On January 30, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12147), was taking off for a training flight from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  Just as the aircraft reached an altitude of 700 feet the engine lost all power.  The aircraft was too low for the pilot to bail out, so he tried to glide  towards a wooded clearing.  At an altitude of 50 feet he was able to restart the engine, and as he did so the Wildcat clipped some tree tops causing damage to the plane.  The pilot was able to gain enough altitude to make it back to Quonset Point.  As he was landing, the aircraft hit a snowbank which caused it to swing upwards into an almost vertical position and then slam back down.  The aircraft was heavily damaged but the pilot was not injured.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated January 30, 1943.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 5, 1943

June 10, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 5, 1943

 

U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo

     At 9:40 p.m. on the night of February 5, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12156), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a night familiarization flight.  The pilot inadvertently made a wheels-up landing, and as the aircraft skidded to a stop it caught fire.  The pilot escaped, but the aircraft was destroyed by the flames. 

     The pilot was assigned to Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16).   

     Source: 

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-5879, dated February 5, 1943.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 7, 1943

June 10, 2019

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 7, 1943

 

U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo

     On February 7, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 5030), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the engine suddenly lost all power immediately after becoming airborne.  The aircraft crashed back onto the runway and required a major overhaul.  The pilot was not injured.

     This aircraft had been involved in another accident only five days earlier on February 2nd.  On that date, BU. No. 5030 was coasting to a stop after having just landed at Quonset Point when it was struck by another Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12149), which was taxiing into position in preparation of take off.  The accident was blamed on the pilot of Bu. No. 12149.

     Both aircraft were assigned to Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16).

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-5849, dated February 2, 1943.

     U. S. Navy accident report dated February 7, 1943.  

 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – November 15, 1945

April 22, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – November 15, 1945

 

U.S. Navy PV-1 Ventura
U. S. Navy Photo

     On November 15, 1945, a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura, (Bu. No. 34793), was approaching to land at the Quonset Point Naval Air station when it was discovered that the landing gear would not come down.  The aircraft circled for the next two hours while the crew attempted to rectify the problem, but they were unable to do so.  The aircraft made an emergency wheels-up landing on a grass strip parallel to the runway.  The aircraft was damaged, but the six-man crew was uninjured.  

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #44-9716, dated November 15, 1945.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – December 10, 1942

April 16, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – December 10, 1942

 

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo

     On December 10, 1942, a U. S. Navy PV-3 Ventura aircraft, (Bu. No. 33951), was being used to demonstrate “wing-overs” and “flipper-turns” to student pilots when the tail section suddenly warped and became twisted.  The plane made an emergency landing and there were no injuries.  It was determined that the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and was scrapped.

     Source:

     U. S. navy accident report dated December 10, 1942.  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 17, 1943

April 15, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 17, 1943

 

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo

     On June 17, 1943, a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura, (Bu. No. 29860), was making a landing approach to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a six hour cross-country training flight.  About thirty other aircraft were in the vicinity at the time, all trying to land quickly because the Quonset control tower had announced that the field was about to close due to weather closing in.  The Ventura came in close behind another aircraft and struck the slipstream of the preceding plane.  The Ventura landed hard on the runway and bounced, but was traveling fast enough for the pilot to apply full throttle and remain airborne.  The Ventura circled the field for a second try, and upon touchdown the landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded along the runway to a stop. There was no fire, but the aircraft received major damage.  The six man crew was not injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to VB-126.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-7297, dated June 17, 1943.    

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 10, 1943

April 13, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – March 10, 1943

 

U.S. Navy PV-1 Ventura

     On the morning of March 10, 1943, a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura aircraft, (Bu. No. 29834), with five men aboard, was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  The pilot started a normal takeoff, and as the aircraft proceeded down the runway it began a gradual drift to the left.  The plane became airborne just before reaching the left edge of the runway at which time the left wing tip was observed to drop about 15 degrees and strike a snowbank.  At the moment of impact the wing burst into flames and the aircraft settled back down to the ground.  Both propellers hit the ground tearing the engines from their mountings.  The flaming fuselage skidded along the ground coming to rest 150 yards to the left of the runway.   The aircraft was completely consumed by fire.

     One crewman, Lieutenant, (Jg.) George L. Mawhinney, died in the accident.    

     The pilot and two other crewmen received first and second degree burns.  The fifth crewman escaped with minor bruises.  

     The aircraft was assigned to VB-125.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-6199, dated March 10, 1943. 

 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 9, 1942

April 12, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 9, 1942

 

OS2U Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo

     On June 9, 1942, a U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft, (Bu. No. 5314), with two men aboard, was making a landing approach to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  Just before touchdown, a gust of wind caught the aircraft while it was low over Narragansett Bay causing the left wing to touch the water.  The aircraft spun around and hit the water and was then driven into the beach.  The aircraft sustained heavy damage but the crew was not hurt.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #4292, dated June 9, 1942.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Long Island Sound – December 3, 1953

April 1, 2019

Long Island Sound – December 3, 1953

     On the night of December 3, 1953, a Grumman Guardian with two crewmen aboard left the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a routine training flight.  At about 7:30 p.m., while flying over Long Island Sound, the engine suddenly lost all power and the aircraft went down in the water.  Before it sank, the crew managed to set off emergency signal flares, don Mark IV survival suits, and get into a life raft.  The new survival suits were later credited with saving the men’s lives. 

     The flares were seen by two civil defense aircraft observers on duty in Branford, Connecticut.   Coast Guard and navy authorities were notified and a widespread search was begun.  

     The two crewmen were identified as Ensign James Shapiro, (25) and Aviation Mechanic First Class Donald Sockman, (31). Both were rescued about twelve hours later by a Coast Guard plane and brought to Floyd Bennet Field on Long Island for treatment.           

     Sources:

     Newport Daily News, “2 Quonset Flyers Rescued From Sound After Spending 12 Hours on a Raft”, December 4, 1953.

     Newsday, (Long Island, N.Y.), “Rescued From L.I. Sound, naval Fliers Both In Good Condition”, December 5, 1953 

 

Filed Under: Connecticut - Military Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – August 15, 1944

April 1, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 15, 1944

 

North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo

     On August 15, 1944, a navy SNJ-3 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 7002), left Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, bound for Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  Upon landing at Quonset the plane’s landing gear collapsed causing heavy damage to the aircraft .  There were no injuries.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated August 15, 1944.  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – October 20, 1943

March 20, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – October 20, 1943

 

North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo

     On October 20, 1943, an navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27815), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station and as it was taxiing off the runway to an airplane parking area it collided with a parked tractor causing significant damage to the aircraft requiring a major overhaul.  The pilot and instructor aboard were not injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to VS-33.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated October 20, 1943.

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – May 2, 1944

March 8, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – May 2, 1944

 

U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo

     On May 2, 1944, a TBM-1D Avenger, (Bu. No. 25430), was due to take off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station to participate in an aerial gunnery training flight.  The aircraft was designated to be the “target-tug”, meaning it was to tow a canvas target behind it which other aircraft would take turns firing at. 

     At 2:00 p.m. the aircraft began its take-off run with the target sleeve attached.  As soon as the aircraft became airborne the pilot raised the wheels.  At an altitude of 100 feet, the right wing stalled due to recent squadron modifications to it, causing a loss of altitude.  At the end of the runway was Narragansett Bay.  The target sleeve hadn’t yet become airborne, and began dragging in the water off the end of the runway.  Then the right wing stalled a second time and the plane went down in the bay.

     There were four men aboard the aircraft; the pilot, a gunner, and two radio-men.  (The Avenger generally carried a crew of three)  When the plane hit the water one crewman suffered a broken left arm, another a lacerated hand, and the other two were not injured.  All were rescued.

    The aircraft was a total loss, with its fuselage having broken in half.   

    The men were assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point.

    Source: U.S. Navy accident report #44-13795, dated May 2, 1944.

 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 3, 1943

February 28, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 3, 1943 

 

U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.

     On June 3, 1943, Ensign Charles Howland Reinhard was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 10940), for an authorized cross country training flight.  Almost immediately after becoming airborne, and with the landing gear retracted, the aircraft was observed by ground personnel to suddenly enter a left spin and crash.  Ensign Reinhard perished in the accident. 

     Ensign Reinhard was assigned to VB-15.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-7131, dated June 3, 1943.  

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Atlantic Ocean – November 2, 1948

February 25, 2019

Atlantic Ocean – November 2, 1948

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On November 2, 1948, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Leyte was operating in waters off the coast of New England.  On that day, an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 121542), took off from the Quonset Point Naval; Air Station and landed aboard the Leyte. 

     Later, when the pilot took off from the ship, he did so by going off the bow.  Immediately after take off the Bearcat began running roughly and emitting black smoke.  The aircraft lost altitude and dropped nearly to the water, but the pilot was able to recover and bring his plane up to about 1,000 feet of altitude, at which time he began to circle back toward and around the ship.  (The pilot later reported that the cockpit gauges indicated that fuel and oil pressure were normal, but the cylinder head temperature was 300 degrees.)  As the Bearcat was approaching the aircraft carrier from the rear, the engine lost all power and the pilot was forced to make a water landing.  The Bearcat sank within 90 seconds, but the pilot was able to escape unharmed, and was rescued within minutes. 

     The coordinates of the accident were 37 degrees, 19 north, 70 degrees, 14.5 west.   

     The pilot was assigned to VF-71.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated November 2, 1948   

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – November 22,1949

February 19, 2019

Quonset Point, R. I. – November 22, 1949

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On November 22, 1949, a pilot was awaiting clearance for take off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  As he sat waiting in his F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 95355), the aircraft suddenly caught fire.  The pilot turned off the engine and exited the airplane unharmed, but the aircraft was damaged beyond all repair.  

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report date November 22, 1949.

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – January 28, 1948

February 4, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 28, 1948 

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On January 28, 1948, an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 95260), took off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Leyte, (CV-32), bound for the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island.  Thirty minutes later, as the aircraft approached the air station, the pilot noticed that the controls were not responding properly.  He was advised to climb to 2,000 feet where he went into a holding pattern to try to determine the cause.  No cause could be found, so he was cleared  land.  Unknown to the pilot was the fact that a thin layer of ice had formed on the runway and when the aircraft touched down it slid off the runway and into a snowbank where it cartwheeled before coming to rest.  The pilot was not seriously injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. 

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated January 28, 1948    

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – September 9, 1950

January 30, 2019

Quonset Point, R. I. – September 9, 1950

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On September 9, 1950, an F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 78183), was approaching the Quonset Point Naval Air Station to land after a cross-country training flight.  The aircraft was cleared to land, but when the pilot lowered the landing gear, the dash indicator showed that the wheels were not completely down and locked, so he asked the tower to confirm.  As he flew slowly past the tower his suspicions were confirmed.  The pilot then climbed to altitude and began circling the area trying to get the landing gear down, but was unable to do so.  With fuel running low, he was then advised to make a wheels-up landing in the grass alongside of the runway which he did.  The aircraft was damaged, but the pilot was not injured.

     Investigation showed a mechanical failure with the landing system.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 9, 1950        

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Quonset Point NAS – June 17, 1943

March 14, 2018

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – June 17, 1943

     On June 17, 1943, an Ensign pilot was in the cockpit of a navy NE-1 trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 26273), while Lt. (Jg.) Robert Allen Pierce stood at the nose and pulled the propeller thru to start the engine.  Once the engine started, Pierce turned to walkaway, and as he did so the aircraft suddenly lurched forward and struck him with the spinning propeller critically injuring him.     

     Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #43-7295, dated June 17, 1943

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point NAS – January 31, 1944

March 14, 2018

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – January 31, 1944

 

Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo

     On January 31, 1944, Ensign A. G. King was piloting an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 29030), while practicing field carrier landings at Quonset Point.  As he was making a landing approach, he lowered the landing gear, but due to a mechanical failure with the aircraft, only one of the wheels came down.  The aircraft suffered heavy damage, but Ensign King was not hurt.

     Source; U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-11373 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Atlantic Ocean – September 8, 1949

May 10, 2015

Atlantic Ocean – September 8, 1949

Updated March 30, 2019 

5 Miles Off Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island

    

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On September 8, 1949, two navy F8F Grumman Bearcat aircraft took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air station for what was to be a high altitude instrument training flight.  One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 95332), was piloted by Ensign Henry J. Harling, 22, of Staten Island, N.Y.

     While at 10,000 feet both pilots went on oxygen and continued to climb to 32,000 feet.  At 28,000 feet Ensign Harling reported smoke in his cockpit, and both aircraft began to descend.  A short time later, while at an altitude of 25,000 feet, Harling radioed to the other pilot that he was going to bail out. 

     The other pilot later told investigators that he saw smoke coming from the area of the exhaust ports, and that the tail wheel on Ensign Harling’s aircraft was down.  He observed Ensign Harling open the cockpit canopy, and at that time saw that he was still wearing his oxygen mask.  Harling’s plane was then seen to roll on its back, nose down, and spin twice, before apparently recovering.  It then entered a cloud bank and the other pilot lost sight of it. 

     The other pilot followed Harling’s plane down through the cloud bank, and upon coming through it observed an explosion when Harling’s plane hit the water about five miles off Sakonnet Point, R. I.  (Another source stated the plane went down off Horseneck Beach in Westport, Mass.)   

     Witnesses on boats reported seeing Harling’s plane trailing smoke before it hit the water. No parachute was observed.

     Planes and rescue boats were immediately launched.  An oil slick was discovered, but after a two-day search it was concluded that Ensign Harling had been unable to escape from the cockpit and had remained in his aircraft when it hit the water.  The cause of the accident was speculated to be a failure in the aircraft’s hydraulic system, particularly with the aircraft’s tail wheel.   

     Ensign Harling has been assigned to VF-73.

     Sources:

     New York Times, “Navy Pilot Dives In Sea” , September 9, 1949 

     U. S. Navy accident report dates September 8, 1949

     Fall River Herald, (Mass.), “Tank, Oil Slick Found; Pilot Is Presumed Dead”, September 8, 1949

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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