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.
On February 23, 1954, it was reported that the body of one of the men was recovered at Easton’s Beach. The article did not identify which one.
The wreckage was brought to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.
U. S. Navy Photo
Sources:
Newport Daily News, “Navy Seeks Cause Of Plane Disaster At Easton’s Beach”, February 22, 1954. Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.
Evening Bulletin, “Flier’s Body Found At Easton’s beach”, February 23, 1954, pg. 3.
