Mt. Greylock, MA. – May 8, 1943

    Mt. Greylock, Williamstown, Massachusetts – May 8, 1943

    On May 8, 1943, two Royal Navy Air Force Pilots took off in a single engine aircraft from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight over Massachusetts.  For a reason that was never ascertained, while passing over the town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, the aircraft crashed into Mt. Greylock and exploded.   Both men were killed in the crash.  

     Sub-Lieutenant Edward William Sewers Berry, age 23. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037573/edward-william_sewers-berry

     Leading Aircraft Fitter Richard Peter Sanford, age 20. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037568/richard-peter_archibald-sandford

     Both men were born in England, and are buried in Newport Island Cemetery in Newport, R. I.   

     A crew from Westover Field in Chicopee, Mass. arrived and began a week-long cleanup of and removal of the wreckage. 

     The type of aircraft is unknown. 

     Sources:

     The Berkshire County Eagle, “Two Died In Navy Plane on Greylock”, May 12, 1943, pg. 18. Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian. 

     Town of Williamstown Death Records – Williamstown Town Hall. 

     www.findagrave.com 

North Adams, MA – September 12, 1999

North Adams, Massachusetts – September 12, 1999

     On September 12, 1999, an airshow was held at Harriman Airport in North Adams, to celebrate the airports 50th anniversary.  During one part of the show, two vintage military aircraft were conducting a low level fly-past when they collided in mid air.  One aircraft was a twin-engine Cessna, and the other an L-19.

     There were conflicting reports as to how the accident occurred, however it was felt that neither pilot saw the other’s aircraft due to their vantage point.

     The accident happened in view of thousands of spectators – none of whom were hurt.  

     One aircraft crashed in a marshy area near the end of the runway and exploded, while the other went down in cornfield in the neighboring town of  Williamstown.   Both pilots were killed.      

     The pilots were identified as George Shelton, 68, of Boston, and Paulus Kraaijvanger, 67, of North Stonington, Connecticut.

     Sources:

     Union News, “Air Crash Claims Pilot’s Lives”, September 13, 1999.

     Westerly Sun, “Two Pilots Killed At Air Show”, September 13, 1999

     Cape Cod Times, “Two Pilots Die In Crash At Air Show In N. Adams”, September 13, 1999

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