Off Block Island, R. I. – April 30, 1942
On the afternoon of April 30, 1942, a flight of Vought SB2U Vindicator navy aircraft were participating in a coordinated group bomb-attack training flight off Sandy Point, Block Island. At 2:30 p.m., two of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 1365), and (Bu. No. 0746), were involved in a mid air collision. (Bu. No. 1365) had its right wing sheared off in the collision. (Bu. No. 0746) had part of its right wing and tail section torn away. Both aircraft had been traveling in opposite directions in different groups at the time of the accident.
The pilot of (Bu. No. 1365 ) was Ensign David L. Kauffman, 21. With him was Lt. (Jg.) Howard Lapsley, 31, serving as an observer. As the aircraft fell, one man was seen to bail out, but his parachute never opened. The aircraft crashed into the water north of Sandy Point.
The pilot of (Bu. No. 0746) was Ensign Frederick W. Tracey. With him was his radioman, ARM3/c J. C. Brown. Both parachuted safely as their aircraft crashed into the water north of Sandy Point. Both men were rescued from the water.
The aircraft were assigned to VS-41.
The weather at the time of the accident was fair and hazy.
To see a photograph Ensign Kauffman, and to read his obituary go to www.findagrave.com and see memorial #113970491.
To learn more about Lt. (Jg.) Lapsley, go to www.findagrave.com, and see memorial #25898354.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #4091, dated April 30, 1942