Otis Air Field, Massachusetts – September 13, 1946
On September 13, 1946, a group of several navy TBM Avengers were participating in a practice carrier landing training exercise during which each aircraft was making touch-and-go landings and take offs. At one point, (Bu. No. 91437), made a perfect approach and landing, but just after take off went into a near vertical climb. At the top of the climb the aircraft stalled and as it began to fall the pilot bailed out. The aircraft crashed and exploded. The pilot’s parachute deployed, but he suffered non-life-threatening injuries upon hitting the ground. There was nobody else aboard the plane at the time of the accident.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-42.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 13, 1946.