Winchester and Arlington, Massachusetts – January 23, 1958
Updated August 5, 2025.
T-33 Trainer Jet
U.S. Air Force Photo
On January 23, 1958, two Air Force jets collided in mid-air 22,000 feet over the Boston metropolitan area. One was an F-94 Starfire out of Otis AFB, the other a T-33 out of Stewart AFB in Newburgh, New York. Both were taking part in a routine training exercise at the time of the accident.
A flight of T-33s had been dispatched out of New York to simulate a mock attack on Boston. Meanwhile, a flight of F-94’s were dispatched from Otis to intercept the T-33s. The formation was intercepted at approximately 11:30 a.m.. At that time the two aircraft clipped each other causing each to crash.
The crew of the F-94 consisted of 1st Lt. Joseph G. Izzea, 23, and 1st Lt. John P. Horan, 21. Both were killed either in the collision, or when their flaming jet crashed behind a private home in Arlington, Massachusetts. Witnesses speculated Izzea may have been aiming for the Arlington Reservoir.
To see a photo of Lt. Izzea, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8448541/joseph-g-izzea
To see a photo of Lt. Horan, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/263704582/john-p-horan
F-94 Starfire
U.S. Air Force Photo
The crew of the T-33, consisted of Captain William D. Bridges, 33, and Lt. Harold Woldmoe, 30. Both bailed out safely, although Woldmoe later said his ejection seat failed, and he got out as the plane was falling end-over-end. Bridges was carried by wind currents for fifteen miles before he came down in the icy waters of Quincy Bay, and was rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter twenty minutes later. Woldmoe landed in the railroad freight yards near Boston’s South Station. Both men were treated at area hospitals.
The abandoned T-33 crashed and burned on South Border Road in the town of Winchester, causing damage to a private home.
To learn more about this accident, click here: https://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_66216e6a-7555-11ec-9881-33004795b0c8.html
Sources:
Falmouth Enterprise, “Two Otis Fliers Die As Jets Crash Above City”, January 24, 1958.
(Troy, N.Y.) Times Record, “Two Airmen Killed As Planes Crash”, January 24, 1958
New York Times, “Jets Collide, Two Die”, January 24, 1958
Daily Times Chronicle, “From The Archives: Plane Crashed Down On South Border Road”, By Ellen Knight, January 17, 2022.
