Sterling, MA. – February 12, 1970

Sterling, Massachusetts, Airport – February 12, 1970 

 

     On February 9, 1970, a small aircraft with two men aboard took off from Sterling Airport bound for Nashua, New Hampshire, and disappeared en-route.  A search was instituted which involved Civil Air Patrol Aircraft. 

     Three days later, on February 12, a Civil Air Patrol Aircraft taking part in the search took off from Sterling Airport.  The pilot was Stewart C. Woodworth, 50, of Weston, Mass., and his observer was Stephen Nottonson, 33, of Newton, Mass.

     According to a witness, just after leaving the ground, the aircraft circled back toward the runway, and upon landing, collided with another airplane (with nobody aboard) that was parked on the runway.  The C.A. P. aircraft burst into flame, and two onlookers ran forward and managed to rescue Nottonson before the flames drove them back.  Mr. Woodworth perished in the accident.

     The missing plane was later found by snowmobilers taking part in the search.

     Sources:

     Providence Evening Bulletin, “Search Pilot Dies In Fiery Crash”, February 13, 1970   

     Providence Journal, “Missing Plane, 2 Dead Fliers Found In Mass.”, February 13, 1970 

 

 

Atlantic Ocean, ME – February 2, 1943

Atlantic Ocean, Maine – February 2, 1943

    

WWII Civil Air Patrol Insignia

WWII Civil Air Patrol Insignia

     On the morning of February 2, 1943, a Civil Air Patrol airplane with two men aboard took off from Trenton, Maine, for a routine patrol flight off the Maine coast.  Shortly after 9:00 a.m. the aircraft developed engine trouble and the pilot was forced to ditch in the sea about 45 miles off Brunswick.  

     The pilot, 1st Lt. William B. Hites, 30, of Jamestown, New York, and the flight officer/observer, 1st Lt. Welles L. Bishop, 34, of Meriden, Connecticut, were able to escape from the plane before it sank.  Another aircraft radioed their position to a shore control station, but rough seas made rescue operations difficult.  Although both men wore life-vests and waterproof coveralls, they perished before help could reach them.    

     Both men were survived by their wives.

     Update July 15, 2016

     In 1970, twenty-seven years after the crash, Lt. Welles L. Bishop was posthumously honored by the town of Meridian and the Connecticut Civil Air Patrol during ceremonies marking the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the national Civil Air Patrol, (Dec. 1, 1941).  

     Sources:

     Bangor Daily News, “2 CAP Officers Killed On Duty Off Maine Coast”, February 3, 1943

     Lewiston Daily Sun, “Two Fliers Killed Off Maine Coast”, February 3, 1943

     The Morning Record, “Meridian Pilot Lost In War To Be Honored”, November 13, 1970.

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