Otis Filed, MA. – November 19, 1945

December 4, 2019

Otis Field, Massachusetts – November 19, 1945

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On November 19, 1945, a TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 69004), with a lone pilot aboard, was was taking part in a training exercise making practice carrier landings and take-offs at Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts.  While orbiting in a “traffic circle”, the pilot noted fluctuations in the fuel flow to the engine so he switched tanks.  The engine ran smoothly for a few seconds and then suddenly quit, forcing the pilot to make an emergency wheels-up landing.  The aircraft came down hard, crushing the bomb-bay doors and causing other serious damage to the plane.  There was no fire upon impact, and the pilot was not injured.     

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-43

     Source:  U. S. Navy accident report, dated November 19, 1945

Filed Under: Massachusetts - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Windsor, VT. – November 17, 1945

December 4, 2019

Windsor, Vermont – November 17, 1945

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On November 17, 1945, a navy TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 68984) was on a cross country training flight over Vermont, when icing conditions led to engine failure.  The pilot was forced to make an emergency wheels-up landing in an open field in the town of Windsor.  The landing caused extensive damage to the aircraft, but no one aboard the aircraft was injured. 

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-43.  

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated November 17, 1945 

Filed Under: Vermont - Military Tagged With: , , , , ,

Atlantic Ocean – September 16, 1944

January 6, 2019

Atlantic Ocean – September 16, 1944

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the afternoon of September 16, 1944, a Navy TBF-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 47759), was taking part in a glide-bombing training exercise seven miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.  Several other aircraft were also participating.  Each aircraft would make a run at the target from 5,000 feet at an angle of 45 degrees, and pull out of the dive at 1,200 to 1,500 feet, with a 2,000 yard interval maintained between planes.  

     The pilot of Bu. No. 47759 made four successful runs at the target.  On the fifth run, the aircraft was observed to make a 50 degree dive at the target from which it did not recover.  The aircraft plunged into the water just short of the dye marker and disappeared immediately.  No wreckage was recovered thereby leaving the cause of the accident unknown.   

     All aboard Bu. No. 47759 were killed.  

     The pilot: Ensign Townsend Doyle

     Radioman: ARM3c Theodore H. Jaffe

     Gunner: AOM3c Anthony N. Kulsa   

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-43.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated September 16, 1944

 

Filed Under: Massachusetts - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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