U.S.S. Leyte – November 19, 1948

U.S.S. Leyte – November 19, 1948

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On November 19, 1948, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Leyte, (CV-32), was operating in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New England.  At about 12:30 p.m., Lieutenant Henry G. Goodloe was returning to the Leyte after a two-and-a-half hour training flight in an F8F Bearcat, (Bu. No. 121632).  As Lt. Goodloe was making his landing approach he was given a “foul deck” wave-off.  Goodloe increased throttle as he passed amidships and suddenly the Bearcat’s engine began to misfire, and smoke could be seen trailing from the aircraft as it began to climb away.  The pilot declared an emergency, dropped the plane’s belly tank, and began getting into position for another landing approach.  As he approached the rear of the ship, he radioed that he was going to have to ditch in the water, and after raising the landing gear, made a flat landing in the sea, but the aircraft reportedly sank within twenty seconds.  Helicopters and destroyers immediately converged on the area but there was no sign of Lt. Goodloe or his aircraft.   

     Lt. Goodloe was assigned to Fighting Squadron 71, (VF-71), based at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

     Source:

     U.S. Navy accident report dated November 19, 1948

Return to Top ▲Return to Top ▲