VF-41 History | New England Aviation History

Cape Cod Beach – May 8, 1942

December 3, 2020

Cape Cod Beach – May 8, 1942

U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo

On May 8, 1942, Ensign Arthur J. Cassidy was piloting an F4F-4 Wildcat, (Bu. No. 4085), just off Cape Cod on a routine navigational training flight. About 40 minutes into the flight, the 30 gallon reserve fuel tank ran low, so he switched to the main tank, and when he did so the fuel suction was lost and could not be regained. His engine lost power, but he was able to make an emergency landing on a beach on Cape Cod. (Unfortunately the navy report on this incident does not state which specific beach, or the town it was located in.)

Cassidy’s aircraft suffered heavy damage during the landing, but he was not injured.

He was assigned to VF-41.

Ensign Cassidy was later promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.). He lost his life on March 30, 1943 when his aircraft disappeared over Massachusetts and was never heard from again. To read about his disappearance click here.

Source: U. S. Navy accident report #4140, dated May 8, 1942.

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 14, 1942

June 11, 2019

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 14, 1942

U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo

On the night of July 14, 1942, a flight of navy aircraft were participating in a night-carrier-landing-drill at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. One of the aircraft was an F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 02137). The flight circle took the planes out over Narragansett Bay.

As the Wildcat was making its landing approach from an altitude of 300 feet over the Bay, its engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot was able to glide the plane in to make an emergency water landing just off shore. The pilot was able to extricate himself before the plane sank in 18 feet of water. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The pilot was assigned to Fighter Squadron 41, (VF-41)

Source:

U. S. Navy accident report #43-4487, dated July 14, 1942.