Mashpee, MA – March 20, 1949
John’s Pond, Mashpee
Republic F-84C – U.S. Air Force Photo
On March 20, 1949, 2nd Lt. William C. Knoy was on a routine training flight over Cape Cod. As he was returning to Otis AFB his aircraft suffered a power loss. With only seconds to react, he aimed his jet towards John’s Pond in Mashpee, and crash landed in the water. The crash was witnessed by Lt. Col. Joseph C. Smith who had been flying in the area.
Knoy was rescued by Henry F. Godleski a local resident using a rowboat.
The newspaper story published five days later stated the aircraft had not yet been recovered.
The aircraft was an F-84C (Ser# 47-1453) assigned to the 59FS, 33 FG.
Source:
Falmouth Enterprise, “Power Failure Sends Jet Plane Into John’s Pond”, March 25, 1949
