Sanford, ME. – September 12, 1991

Sanford, Maine – September 12, 1991

     On the morning of September 12, 1991, an 80-year-old pilot from Derry, New Hampshire, flew his Cessna 185 amphibian airplane to Greenville, Maine, to attend an airshow.  While he was returning home that afternoon his airplane’s engine stopped.  Spotting a field the pilot tried to glide to it, but fell short and crashed into a wooded area on Mount Hope in Sanford.  The pilot suffered minor injuries and the crash did not deter him from later boarding a friend’s airplane to complete the trip home. 

     Source:

     Derry News, “Eighty-Year-Old Aviator Says Plane Crash Won’t Ground Him”, September 18, 1991.     

Sanford, ME. – March 29, 1968

Sanford, Maine – March 29, 1968

     Around 8 p.m. on the night of March 29, 1968, two men aboard a Lake LA-4 Buccaneer amphibious aircraft took off from Sanford Airport.  Just after takeoff they encountered light misty conditions.  The night was dark with no moon, and it was believed the mist obscured distant reference points.  The aircraft crashed in a thick wooded-brush area a short distance beyond Route 109, but did not burn.  Both men were killed instantly.   

     Sources:

     Sanford Tribune, “Airplane Accident Stuns community – Aerofab Official, Episcopal Priest Killed In Crash”, April 4, 1968, page 1, with photo. 

     Aviation Safety Network

 

Sanford, ME. – July 25, 1944

Sandford, Maine – July 25, 1944

 

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On July 25, 1944, several aircraft were taking part in a “carrier landing practice” exercise at the Sanford Naval Auxiliary Air Field.  One aircraft was a F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42759).  As the pilot made his landing on a simulated aircraft carrier deck platform the arresting wire broke causing the plane to swing violently to the right and skid for about 40 feet.  The aircraft required a major overhaul, but the pilot was not injured.  

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated July 25, 1944

Sanford, ME. – May 16, 1944

Sanford, Maine – May 16, 1944 

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On May 16, 1944, a TBM-1C, (Bu. No. 17085), made a normal landing on Runway 14 at the Sanford Maine Navy Auxiliary Air Field.  As the aircraft was rolling down the runway the left landing gear collapsed.  The aircraft skidded to a stop and the three-man crew was not hurt. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-14211, dated May 16, 1944.

 

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