Quonset Point, R. I. – June 29, 1955

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – June 29, 1955 

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On June 29, 1955, the pilot of a a navy Ad-5W Skyraider, (Bu. No. 132786), was attempting an emergency landing on Runway 16 at the Quonset Point Naval Air station when the plane lost all power and crashed, killing the pilot and another crewman aboard.  

     The men had been assigned to VC-12 stationed at Quonset.

     The identities of the men were not reported in the press. 

     Source:

     The Recorder, “Two Killed In Quonset Air Crackup”, June 29, 1955. (Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.) 

 

Atlantic Ocean – December 27, 1957

Atlantic Ocean – December 27, 1957   

      On December 27, 1957, a navy radar plane with three men aboard, was flying off the coast of Charlestown, Rhode Island, when it crashed into the sea off East Beach.  (The cause is unknown.) The pilot and the two enlisted crewmen escaped the plane before it sank, however, one of the crewmen, Aviation Technician First Class John J. Young succumbed to the frigid water before he could be rescued.    

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144103364/john-joseph-young

     Source:

     Evening Star, “Man Dies, 2 Saved As Plane Crashes”, (Wash. D. C.) December 28, 1957

Narragansett Bay, R. I. – November 10, 1952

Narragansett Bay, November 10, 1952

     On November 10, 1952, navy Lieutenant James McCarran, (31), was making a landing approach to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a Grumman Guardian aircraft, (Bu. No. 126784), when his plane lost power and he crashed into the water about 75 feet from the runway.  Lt. McCarran did not survive, and his body was later recovered.

     McCarran was a decorated veteran of WWII, and had recently returned to active duty.  He was survived by a wife and child. 

     Sources:

     North Adams Transcript, (MA.), Body of Navy Flyer Recovered from Narragansett Bay”, November 13, 1952. Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.     

     Other info supplied by Larry Webster, aviation historian.     

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 25, 1946

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 25, 1946 

 

SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo

     On March 25, 1946, an SBW-4E Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60126), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight.  Upon landing the aircraft collided with another Helldiver, which was parked and unoccupied, shearing its tail section off.   Both aircraft were heavily damaged, but the pilot was not hurt.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report, dated March 25, 1946

Quonset Point, R. I. – March 25, 1946

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – March 25, 1946 

 

SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo

    On March 25, 1946, an SBW-4e Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60113), was practicing take offs and landings at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  On one of the takeoffs the aircraft suddenly lost power and crash landed.  The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft suffered heavy damage. 

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report, dated March 25, 1946  

Atlantic Ocean – June 9, 1943

Atlantic Ocean – June 9, 1943

 

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On June 9, 1943, navy Lieutenant Thomas F. Durkin, Jr., took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 8918), for a routine training flight.   While flying about 2 miles off the coast of Block Island his plane crashed into the sea.  The cause was unknown. 

     Lt. Durkin was assigned to VF-16.

     To see photographs and an obituary for Lt. Durkin, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232870413/thomas-francis-durkin

     Sources:

     The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.), “Thomas F. Durkin Plane Crash Victim”, June 11, 1943, pg. 8. 

      www.findagrave.com

 

Charlestown, R. I. – November 15, 1944

Charlestown, Rhode Island – November 15, 1944

 

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On November 15, 1944, an F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70956), was coming in to land at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field on Runway 12 when it struck some trees, then continued on through electric powerlines and a stone wall before coming to rest on Route 1 which during WWII ran past the airfield.   The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries.  The aircraft was beyond repair. 

     Source:

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated November 15, 1944 

Westerly, R. I. – November 13, 1944

Westerly, Rhode Island – November 13, 1944

 

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On November 13, 1944, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70977), crashed into some trees at the end of the runway of the Westerly Airport as it was making a landing approach.  The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries and the aircraft was a total loss. 

     Source:

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated November 13, 1944.    

Quonset Point, R. I. – August 18, 1950

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 18, 1950

 

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

    On August 18, 1950, a flight of sixteen F4U Corsairs was returning to the Quonset Point NAS after a formation training flight.  As the aircraft were in the process of breaking formation in preparation for landing, two of them, Bu. No. 97173, and Bu. No. 96898 were involved in a mid-air collision.  The tail section of #97173 was torn away and the plane plummeted from 1,000 feet and crashed just 15 feet from Hangar 3.  The pilot, Lieutenant Commander Robert Lyons Jungklas, did not survive.  The other aircraft was also damaged, but landed safely.

     The aircraft were assigned to VF-74 at Quonset NAS. 

     To see a photo of Lt. Cmdr. Jungklas, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210654567/robert-l-jungklas

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated August 18, 1950

     The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Lt. Comdr. Jungkles Killed In Rhode Island Crash”, August 21, 1950  

Charlestown, R. I. – April 29, 1946

Charlestown, Rhode Island – April 29, 1946

 

SNJ Trainer Aircraft
U. S. Navy Photo

     At 4:17 p.m. on the afternoon of April 29, 1946, a U. S. Navy SNJ-4 aircraft, (Bu. No. 27284), took off from Mustin Air Field in Philadelphia bound for Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. 

      The pilot was Lieutenant (Jg.) John Rodgers.  Also aboard was Signalman 2/c Albert E. Theriault, Jr. 

     As the aircraft neared Bennett Field it encountered bad weather. 

     At 6:58 p.m. Rodgers contacted the tower at Bennett Field and requested clearance to the Quonset Naval Air Station in Rhode Island.  Clearance was granted.

     As the aircraft was approaching southern Rhode Island it again encountered bad weather and low visibility forcing the pilot to fly on instruments.  As the plane was traveling over the town of Charlestown, R. I., it crashed in a wooded area about one mile east of the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field.  Both airmen perished in the crash.

     The back story to this accident is this: SM2/c Theriault had been serving aboard the light cruiser Monolulu berthed at Philadelphia.  His 23-year-old wife in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was pregnant with the couple’s first child and about to give birth.  Theriault was granted a 20 day leave to be at her side, which was the reason he was aboard the aircraft.  His funeral was held only a few hours after the birth of their child.   

     To see SM2/c Theriault’s gave, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/140598268/albert-e-theriault 

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated April 29, 1946

     The Waterbury Democrat, “Pilot Dies In Crash In Rhode Island”, April 30, 1946, page 9.  

     The Waterbury Democrat, “Child Is Born Before Funeral”, May 4, 1946

 

 

Jamestown, R. I. – July 11, 1955

Jamestown, Rhode Island – July 11, 1955

     On July 11, 1955, a U. S. Navy F3D2 Skynight jet fighter was coming in to land at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the pilot lost control of the aircraft due to an undetermined malfunction.  The aircraft was returning from a routine test flight after just having maintenance done to it.  

     The aircraft continued out across Narragansett Bay towards  Jamestown Island.  When it was evident that the pilot could not regain control, both he and a rear seat observer ejected.  The pilot landed safely on the shore of Jamestown Island, and waded out to a fishing boat, the owner of which took him out to meet up with the “crash boat” from Quonset Point.     

     The observer landed safely in Narragansett Bay and was rescued shortly by the crew of the Quonset crash boat.

     Meanwhile, the fighter jet had crashed and exploded on Narragansett Street on Jamestown Island leaving a 25 feet wide crater.   Nobody on the ground was injured.

     Sources:

     The Rhode Island Pendulum, (No headline, news item), July 14, 1955.

     The Standard, (R. I.), “Quonset Manor Pilot Forced To Bail Out Of Plane”, July 14, 1955

 

Block Island Sound – January 12, 1988

Block Island Sound – January 12, 1988

     On January 12, 1988, a Cessna 152 with two men aboard was taking part in a naval test of unarmed torpedoes about three miles south to the entrance of Narragansett Bay when the aircraft suddenly fell from an altitude of 600 feet and crashed into the water.  The pilot was able to escape and was rescued, but the observer, navy Petty Officer First Class James W. Fletcher was trapped inside and went down with the aircraft in 115 feet deep water.   

     The wreckage of the aircraft was later located, and Fletcher’s body was recovered by a navy diver, however the aircraft was not. 

     Petty Officer First Class Fletcher was born in Caldwell, Idaho, and raised in Hines, Oregon.  He enlisted in the navy in 1967 and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.  In 1986 he was involved with the rescue of a helicopter pilot who crashed in Narraganset Bay and cited for his actions.  At the time of his death he was assigned to the Naval Underwater Systems Center.  He’s buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery  in Paris, Arkansas. 

     Sources:

     Providence Journal, “Divers Recover Body Of Navy Man Lost On Jan. 12”, January 23, 1988, page A-8

    Providence Journal, “Navy Won’t try To Raise Downed Airplane Wreck”, February 4, 1988, page C-3

 

Charlestown, R. I. – April 10, 1945

Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field – April 10, 1945

 

SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo

     On the night of April 10 1945, a Curtis Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60242), took off from the Charlestown NAAF for a night training flight.  It was to be the pilot’s first time flying at night.  Shortly after takeoff the pilot realized that the landing gear wouldn’t retract, so he notified the control tower and returned to the base. 

     As it happened, there was an electrical problem with some of the runway lights as those in some areas were brighter or dimer than others.  Other pilots that night had reported this.  As the pilot approached the airfield he became confused with the lighting configuration as it was his first night landing at the field.   The pilot landed to the side of the runway, but not on the runway.  In doing so eight feet of the right wing was torn away and the aircraft skidded into another Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60222), (unoccupied), that was parked off the runway, tearing its left wing off.   

     Both airplanes were severely damaged but the pilot was not hurt. 

     Source: U. S. Navy Accident report dated April 10, 1945. 

Quonset Point, R. I. – May 31, 1950

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – May 31, 1950

 

P2V Neptune
U.S. Air Force Photo

     On May 31, 1950, a P2V-4 Neptune, (Bu. No. 124216), crash landed on the runway while attempting to land at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  The cloud ceiling at the time was only between 75 to 100 feet with heavy ground fog conditions.  The aircraft suffered considerable damage but the six-man crew was not injured. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated May 31, 1950. 

Newport, R. I. – August 14, 1922

Newport, Rhode Island – August 14, 1922

     On August 14, 1922, a U. S. Navy Aeromarine 40F bi-plane, (Bu. No. A-5087), was attempting to land in the water off Newport when the right wing suddenly dipped and hit the water just before touchdown causing a crash.   The right wing was crumpled and the fuselage broke in half, and the rudder was broken.  Fortunately the pilot and his passenger were not injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to the Squantum Scouting Fleet stationed at Squantum, Massachusetts.  It was turned over to the Fleet Air Base at Hampton Roads, Virginia, to be salvaged for useable parts before scrapping. 

     Source: U. S. Naval Aviation Safety Center, Norfolk, Virginia, Pilot History Cards.      

Quonset Point NAS – August 25, 1951

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 25, 1951

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On August 25, 1951, an AD-4 Skyraider, (Bu. No. 124766), was returning from a training flight to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the landing gear collapsed upon touchdown.  The aircraft skidded to a stop.  Although the aircraft suffered damage to its underside, the pilot was not injured.   

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-12 at Quonset Point. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated August 25, 1951 

Narragansett Bay – November 15, 1951

Narragansett Bay – November 15, 1951

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

   On November 15, 1951, a navy AD-4 Skyraider, (Bu. No. 124077), took off from Runway 23 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a routine training flight.  Shortly after becoming airborne the engine lost power and the aircraft went down in the waters of Narragansett Bay about a mile from the end of the runway.  The pilot was rescued and the aircraft recovered. 

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-12 stationed at Quonset Point. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated November 15, 1951    

Atlantic Ocean – January 26, 1950

Atlantic Ocean – January 26, 1950

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On January 26, 1950, a flight of AD-3 Skyraider aircraft from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station were participating  in an aerobatic training exercise over the water about 2 miles southwest of Point Judith, R.I.   During the exercise, two aircraft, Bu. No. 122810, and Bu. No. 122831, were involved in a mid-air collision.  One pilot, Midshipman Donald H. Anrep, (21), from Pontiac, Michigan, was killed.  The other pilot survived. 

     Both pilots had been assigned to VA-74 stationed at Quonset Point.     

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated January 26, 1950   

     The Evening Star, (Wash. D. C.), “Navy Pilot Missing In Sea”, January 27, 1950

Narragansett Bay – December 29, 1951

Narragansett Bay, R. I. – December 29, 1951

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     Just before 6 p.m. on the evening of December 29, 1951, Ensign Roy C. Pickler took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in an AD-3 Skyraider aircraft, (Bu. No. 122844), for a night training flight that would involve night touch-and-go landings at the Quonset airfield.   Once airborne, Pickler was directed to join three other aircraft already in the air, and all four aircraft were put in a holding pattern to await further instructions.   About fifteen minutes later the aircraft were directed to a lower altitude, and shortly afterward it was noted that one aircraft had disappeared. 

     A red emergency flare was then spotted in the water and two crash-rescue boats were dispatched.  Ensign Pickler was recovered from the water unconscious, about a half-mile southeast of the Quonset pier.  All efforts to revive him failed.   

     Ensign Pickler was assigned to VC-12 stationed at Quonset Point. 

     Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report dated December 29, 1951. 

North Kingstown, R. I. – August 9, 1961

North Kingstown, Rhode Island – August 9, 1961

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On August 9, 1961, two U. S. Navy AD-6 Skyraider aircraft  took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a routine a training flight.  Within a few miles of the air station, at an altitude of about 9,600 feet, the aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision over the town of North Kingstown.  One pilot bailed out safely and came down in a wooded area behind St. Bernard’s Church.  His aircraft crashed and burned in the same wooded area.    The other pilot remained with his aircraft and crashed in a body of water known as Belleville Pond.  (Another source states “Secret Lake” which is to the immediate south of Belleville Pond.)  The pilot received serious injuries in the crash, and local residents swam to his aid and kept his head above water until rescue vehicles arrived.  Once ashore the pilot was transported to Newport Naval Hospital via helicopter.   

     Sources:

     The Standard, (North Kingstown), “Local Residents Aid In Plane Crash Rescue”, August 10, 1961, page 1. 

     The Rhode Island Pendulum, “Navy Probes Crash Of 2 Quonset Pilots; One Is seriously Injured”, August 10, 1961

Wakefield, R.I.- October 1, 1951

Wakefield, Rhode Island – October 1, 1951

South Kingstown, R.I.

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On October 1, 1951, a flight of five navy TBM-3 Avenger aircraft took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a glide angle calibration exercise.  Once airborne, the planes proceeded to Warden’s Pond located in the town of Charlestown, a few miles southwest of Quonset.  After completion of the exercise, four of the aircraft formed up and began heading eastward towards Narragansett Bay, at an altitude of 1,900 feet.  The fifth plane, (Bu. No. 86246), was late in joining the formation, and trailed behind.    While attempting to catch up the engine began to run rough, so the pilot switched fuel tanks and activated the emergency fuel pump, but to no avail.  The pilot radioed the flight leader of his situation and that he was quickly loosing altitude. 

     At this point the flight was over the area of Wakefield, a village within the town of South Kingstown.  The pilot of 86246 saw a plowed field on a farm below and aimed for it.    He made a successful wheels up crash-landing  barely missing a farm house.  

     The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but the lone pilot aboard climbed out unhurt.  There was no fire.  

     The aircraft was assigned to VS-943

     Source: U. S. navy accident report dated October 1, 1951.

Charlestown, R.I.- August 7, 1951

Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field – August 7, 1951

 

TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On August 7, 1951, a navy TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 63834), was engaged with four other TBM aircraft in a carrier landing practice exercise at the Charlestown NAAF.  The aircraft had made six successful touch-and-go landings.  On the seventh, the pilot of 63834 took off at full throttle and raised the landing gear at the same time.  Then the plane suddenly lost power and fell back onto the runway and skidded about 600 feet to a stop.  The aircraft required a major overhaul but there were no injuries. 

     All of the aircraft were assigned to VS-913.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated August 7, 1951. 

Narragansett Bay – January 10, 1946

Narragansett Bay – January 10, 1946

 

U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo

    On January 10, 1946, Ensign John F. Grady took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 53798), for a test flight of the aircraft.  The flight was normal and without incident until Ensign Grady was making his final approach to land.  As he was approaching the runway from the direction of Narragansett Bay the aircraft suddenly lost all power.  Grady attempted to restore power by using the primer and emergency fuel pump, but was unsuccessful, and was forced to make an emergency water landing in Narragansett Bay.  The plane sank within two minutes, but Grady was uninjured, and was quickly rescued by a crash boat. 

     The aircraft was later recovered.   

     The cause of the accident was determined to be mechanical, with no blame assessed to the pilot.   

     Source:

     U. S. Navy Accident report dated January 10, 1946. 

Block Island Sound – February 13, 1942

Block Island Sound – February 13, 1942

 

OS2U Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo

     On February 13, 1942, two U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft were flying together 2,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean about four miles south of Newport, Rhode Island.  

     Each Kingfisher carried two men.  The first, (Bu. No. 5315), was occupied by Ensign Bradley Goodyear Jr., (30), of Buffalo, N.Y., and Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3/c Edward J. Hamner, (20-21), of Long Lake, N.Y.

     The second aircraft, (Bu. No. 5299), contained Ensign R. M. Nelson, and Aviation Radioman 1/c Reginald Henry Davis, (27), of Hardin County, Texas.  

     For some unknown reason, Ensign Goodyear’s aircraft was seen to enter a sharp left turn at a nose down angle.  It continued into the turn for about 270 degrees before it crashed in the water. 

     Ensign Nelson landed his plane in the water where the accident had occurred, and two bodies were seen on the surface.  AMM3/c Hamner left the aircraft in an attempt to retrieve them, and subsequently drowned in the process.

     The cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft had sank and was not recovered.       

     Both aircraft were assigned to VP-82.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #3793, dated February 13, 1942.     

Narragansett Bay – April 24, 1943

Narragansett Bay – April 24, 1943

     On April 24, 1942, a U. S. Navy  SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27278), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a one hour training flight with a pilot and instructor aboard.  While five miles from the air base, and at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the fuel tank ran dry.  The pilot switched tanks, but the engine failed to re-start.  The pilot made an emergency landing in Narragansett Bay and the plane sank almost immediately.  The pilot and instructor were able to escape and were rescued.  The aircraft was recovered and required a major overhaul. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report #43-6638, dated April 24, 1943.  

South Kingstown, R. I. – March 13, 1943

South Kingstown, Rhode Island – March 13, 1943

 

U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.

     On March 13, 1943, Ensign Charles W. Bradley, 22, was piloting a Douglas SBD-4 aircraft, (Bu. No. 01526), taking part in a gunnery practice training flight over southern Rhode Island.  The weather was clear, with a cloud ceiling at 5,00 feet, and visibility six miles. 

     After completing a gunnery run at 3,000 feet, the aircraft was observed to turn over and enter a vertical dive from which it did not recover.  Both Ensign Bradley and his gunner, ARM2/c Pat D. McDonough, 22, were killed. 

     Both men were assigned to squadron VB-23.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-6221, dated March 3, 1943.   

Charlestown, R.I. – August 9, 1948

Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 9, 1948

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On August 9, 1948, an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 94782), was taking off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Station when the engine lost power just after the plane had become airborne and the wheels had been retracted.  The aircraft came back down on the runway crushing its fully loaded belly tank which exploded and enveloped the aircraft in flames.  The aircraft skidded for 1,500 feet before coming to rest.  The pilot was able to extricate himself, but the aircraft was consumed by fire. 

     The aircraft was assigned to Fighter Squadron 10A, (VF-10A).

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated August 9, 1948         

Charlestown, R. I. – December 30, 1948

Charlestown, R. I. – December 30, 1948

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On December 30, 1948, an AD-2 Skyraider, (Bu. No. 122309), was making a normal takeoff from the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field.  Near the end of the runway, while the aircraft was at an altitude of about 150 feet, the engine suddenly stopped.  The aircraft went down in the water of Ninigrit Pond which was covered by about an inch of ice.  The aircraft struck the ice at about 80 knots, skipped once, and came back down in five feet of water.  The pilot was rescued without injury but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. 

     The accident was blamed on faulty maintenance of the carburetor.    

     The aircraft was assigned to VA-94. 

     Source:

     U.S. Navy accident report dated December 30, 1948     

Brunswick, ME. – July 19, 1946

Brunswick, Maine – July 19, 1946 

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On July 19, 1946, a flight of F6F-5 Hellcats left Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island for a training flight to Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine.  Upon reaching Brunswick, the aircraft began to land.  One Hellcat, (Bu. No. 72606), was making a normal landing when the aircraft was caught in a downdraft and forced into an unpaved area 30 feet short of the runway.  Upon touchdown, the left landing gear was torn away.   The aircraft then bounced up and became airborne as the pilot applied throttle.  He was notified by the tower at Brunswick that a portion of the landing gear was missing, and was advised to return to Quonset Point.  Upon his return to Quonset, he made a wheels up landing on the grassy strip alongside the runway.  The aircraft suffered heavy damage, but the pilot was not injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to VF-82.   

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated July 19, 1946

 

Quonset Point, R. I. – February 18, 1946

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 18, 1946

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On February 18, 1946, an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 94830), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight.  Just as the aircraft left the ground the pilot retracted the landing gear.  Just as he did so, the engine lost all power and the aircraft settled back onto the runway with its wheels up.  It skidded for 400 feet before stopping 60 feet from the shore of Narragansett Bay.   The aircraft suffered considerable damage, but the pilot was not hurt.

     The aircraft was assigned to VBF-18 at Quonset Point.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated February 18, 1946 

Narragansett Bay – March 19, 1947

Narraganset Bay, Rhode Island – March 19, 1947

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On March 19, 1947, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Philippine Sea, (CV-47), was in Narragansett Bay conducting training exercises.  At one point, an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 95046), was set to launch.  However, when the catapult fired to launch the aircraft, there was a malfunction with the launch mechanism, and the aircraft went over the side and into the water.  The aircraft sank, but the pilot managed to escape and was rescued.

     The aircraft was assigned to VF-104 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated March 19, 1947         

Charlestown, R. I. – May 27, 1947

Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 27, 1947

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On May 27, 1947, an U. S. Navy F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 95341), made a normal landing on Runway 30 at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Airfield.  Upon touching down, there was a problem with the brakes, and the aircraft nosed over and flipped on its back before sliding to a stop.  The aircraft sustained significant damage and the pilot received non-life-threatening injuries. 

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated May 27, 1947  

Quonset Point, R. I. – April 25, 1947

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – April 25, 1947 

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On April 25, 1947, an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 94797), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  Just after becoming airborne and while still over the runway, the engine suddenly lost all power.   The pilot made an emergency water landing in Narragansett Bay just off the end of the runway.  The aircraft sank, but the pilot was able to escape and was rescued by a crash-rescue boat from Quonset.  

     The aircraft was assigned to VF-17 at Quonset Point.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated April 25, 1947

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 12, 1947

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 12, 1947

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On June 12, 1947, an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 95166), was taking off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight.  As the aircraft became airborne, the pilot retracted the landing gear.  As the gear was being raised, the engine suddenly lost power and the aircraft settled back onto the runway where it skidded for approximately 500 feet before it came to rest.  The pilot was not hurt, but the aircraft was severely damaged.

     The aircraft was assigned to VF-8A at Quonset Point.

    Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 12, 1947  

Charlestown, R. I. – September 4, 1947

Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 4, 1947

 

F8F Bearcat
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the night of September 4, 1947, Lieutenant Alfred George Elpern, (26), took off from the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field in an F8F-1 Bearcat, (Bu. No. 95208), for a night tactical training mission.   About 36 minutes into the flight the cockpit lighting system of his aircraft failed, and he was given clearance to return to base.  His first two attempts to land were aborted.   While making his third attempt, his aircraft was observed to go into a spin while at an altitude of 300 feet.  The airplane crashed and exploded on the field instantly killing Lieutenant Elpern.

     At the time of the crash, the horizon was partially obscured by haze.

     The cause of the crash could not be determined.

     Lieutenant Elpern was assigned to VF-10A.

     Lieutenant Elpern is buried in Paradise Cemetery in Shannondale, Penn.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated September 4, 1947 

     www.findagrave.com Memorial #31314556

Gould Island, R. I. – October 25, 1941

Gould Island, Rhode Island – October 25, 1941

     On the morning of October 25, 1941, a U. S. Navy, Grumman JF-1 Duck, (Bu. No. 9448), with two men aboard, was due to take off from the Gould Island Navy Torpedo Station for an observation flight.  Gould Island is  located in Narragansett Bay off the eastern side of Jamestown.  The aircraft was taking off from the water, and as it was making its take-off run the lower left wing struck a marker buoy of the Magnetic Survey Range.  The impact tore the wing in half and caused the upper wing to buckle.  The aircraft then nosed over, skidded to the right and capsized.  

     The pilot managed to free himself, but the passenger, Petty Officer Alexander C. MacClellan, could not, and drowned.    

     The aircraft was assigned to VX Squadron 2D1.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report #3428, dated October 25, 1941

 

Exeter, R. I. – April 29, 1946

Exeter, Rhode Island – April 29, 1946

 

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On April 29, 1946, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 79462), took off rom Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a familiarization training flight.  While flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet over central Rhode Island, the engine began to make a clattering noise and the cockpit began to fill with a light smoke.  The pilot radioed the Quonset Tower and was given clearance for an emergency landing.  As the pilot steered towards Quonset, the oil pressure continued to drop and then the engine seized.  The pilot made an emergency crash-landing in an open field in the town of Exeter.  Although the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, the pilot was not hurt.

     The aircraft was assigned to VF-18.   

     Source:

     U.S. Navy accident report dated April 29, 1946

Quonset Point, R. I. – September 16, 1943

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – September 16, 1943 

 

U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On September 16, 1945, a flight of three FM-1 Wildcat fighters took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for an anti-submarine practice flight.  Just after the flight became airborne, the pilot of Bu. No. 15268 noticed that the oil pressure to his aircraft was dropping.  After notifying the flight leader he began his return to Quonset.  As he was making his approach to the runway the engine suddenly stopped, and the plane went down in the water of Narragansett Bay about three hundred yards short of the runway.  The pilot was rescued, and not injured.  The aircraft sank and was stricken after it was recovered.

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-55.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #44-8637 or 44-8687.       

Quonset Point, R. I. – August 8, 1944

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 18, 1944

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the evening of August 18, 1944, a TBF-1D Avenger, (Bu. No. 47884), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the aircraft lost all power just as it became airborne and went into the waters of Narragansett Bay.  The crew escaped without injury and the aircraft was recovered 13.5 hours later.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report dated August 8, 1944. 

 

Quonset Point, R. I. – December 16, 1944

Quonset Point, R. I. – December 16, 1944

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the morning of December 16, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47576) was making a landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the aircraft suddenly ground-looped and was damaged beyond repair.  The crew was not injured due to wearing their safety harnesses.

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-97.

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated December 16, 1944. 

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 17, 1946

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – July 17, 1946

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the morning of July 17, 1946, a navy TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 06381), experienced a landing gear collapse after a hard landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  The aircraft was irreparably damaged, but none of the crew aboard were injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-97.   

     Source: U.S. Navy accident report dated July 17, 1946.

Quonset Point, R. I. – July 20, 1942

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – July 20, 1942

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     At 1:15 p.m. on July 20, 1942, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 00524), was returning to Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight when the engine lost all power and crashed into a pile of rocks at the end of the runway while attempting an emergency landing.  Two men were aboard the aircraft at the time, and both suffered broken bones.

     The aircraft was a total loss.

     The aircraft was assigned to VF-4.   

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-4516

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 22, 1944

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 22, 1944

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On June 22, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 06152), was taking off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the engine suddenly lost power.  The aircraft came down at the end of the runway with it wheels retracted.  It went off the end of the runway skidding through soft dirt and then over a seawall.  The aircraft required a major overhaul but the three-man crew was not hurt.  The accident was blamed on mechanical failure.

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-48. 

     As a point of fact, this same TBF Avenger, (Bu. No. 06152), had been involved in a previous accident.  On January 13, 1944, while landing at Martha’s Vineyard Naval Air Station during strong wind gusts, the aircraft went off the runway and was damaged, but the crew was not injured.  At that time the aircraft was assigned to VT-7. 

     Sources: 

     U. S. Navy accident report #44-15764 dated June 22, 1944

     U. S. Navy accident report #44-10853 dated January 13, 1944

Quonset Point, R. I. – June 6, 1944

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 6, 1944

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On June 6, 1944, a TBF-1D Avenger, (Bu. No. 24508), was landing at Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight when the left brakes failed causing the aircraft to ground-loop at a high speed.  Damage consisted a buckled wing and buckled rear stabilizer as well as a blown tire.  The crew was not injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-19.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #41-14953

Charlestown, R. I. – October 15, 1943

Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 15, 1943

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On October 15, 1943, a lone pilot flying a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47438), was practicing take offs and landings at Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field when he crashed due to insufficient air speed. The aircraft was a total loss but the pilot was not injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-14

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report #44-5161  

Charlestown, R. I. – September 27, 1943

Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 27, 1943

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On September 27, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 00626), with a lone pilot aboard, was returning to Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field after a familiarization training flight.  Strong crosswinds were blowing at the time, and the aircraft went off the runway and suffered major damage.  The pilot was not hurt.

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-14.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report # 44-8820  

Charlestown, R. I. – September 21, 1943

Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 21, 1943

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On September 21, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24126), crashed while making practice landings and takeoffs at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field.  The lone pilot aboard was not injured, but the aircraft required a major overhaul. 

     The cause was determined to be a failure of the fuel selector valve.  

     The aircraft was assigned to VC-43.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy accident report # 44-5724

Quonset Point, R. I. – January 15, 1944

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 15, 1944

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On January 15, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47520), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight.  Just after touchdown, the landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded to a stop.  The three man crew was not injured, but the aircraft suffered significant damage.   

     Source:

     U.S. Navy accident report #44-10885

Narragansett Bay, R. I. – August 13, 1943

Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – August 13, 1943

 

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the afternoon of August 13, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24031) , was returning to Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight when the engine suddenly lost all power.  At the time this occurred, the aircraft was at an altitude of 900 feet over Narragansett Bay. The pilot turned into the wind and made an emergency water landing with wheels and flaps down.  None of the crew were injured.

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-2.

     Source:

     U. S. Navy crash report #44-8098

Narragansett Bay, R. I. – August 3, 1943

Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – August 3, 1943

Updated February 9, 2022

TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo

     On the afternoon of August 3, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24028), with a crew of three aboard, left Quonset Point Naval Air Station on a navigational training flight.  When the aircraft was about fifty miles southeast of Quonset Point, and over the Atlantic Ocean, an oil line broke causing the pilot to turn back towards the air station. When the aircraft was about two miles from the base, and at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the engine suddenly stopped running.  The pilot made an emergency water landing, but the impact with the water tore away the bomb bay doors causing the plane to rapidly fill with water and sink within 45 seconds.  The pilot and turret gunner escaped, but the radioman, ARM3/c Paul Eugene McCarthy, 22, of Meriden, Connecticut, went down with the plane and was drowned.

     The aircraft and the radioman were recovered the following day.  

     The aircraft was assigned to VT-2.

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy crash report #44-7931       

     The Waterbury Democrat, “Meriden Youth Dies In Crash”, August 4, 1943, page 15. 

Charlestown, R. I. – August 30, 1945

Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 30, 1945

 

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On August 30, 1945, an F6F-5, (Bu. No. 78419), was taking off on Runway 7 at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field when the engine suddenly lost power and the plane came back down on the tarmac and flipped over.  The aircraft was wrecked, but the pilot was not seriously injured. 

     Source:

     U. S. Navy crash report dated August 30, 1945  

Middletown, R.I. – May 26, 1943

Middletown, Rhode Island – May 26, 1943

 

     On the morning of May 26, 1943, an Ensign left Quonset Point Naval Air Station in an NE-1 trainer aircraft, (Bu. 26207), for a familiarization flight.  After about 45 minutes in the air the pilot noticed a decrease in engine RPMs which he though might be related to trouble with the plane’s magnetos.  He landed in an open hay field in Middletown, where he checked his engine and found everything in good order.  He then made preparations for takeoff.  The field had a slight downgrade to it, and the pilot taxied to the bottom of the grade.  He then proceeded to attempt an up-grade take off into the wind. Unfortunately the long hay slowed the speed of the aircraft, and the plane didn’t leave the ground until it was almost at a tree line bordering the field. The pilot, believing he wasn’t going to clear the trees, attempted a climbing left turn and stalled the aircraft at an altitude of about 30 feet.  The plane then crashed into an adjoining graveyard.  The plane was a total wreck, but the pilot wasn’t injured.  

     Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #43-7026, dated May 26, 1943 

 

 

 

Off Block Island, R.I. – June 13, 1945

Off Block Island, Rhode Island, June 13, 1945

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On June 13, 1945, Ensign Herbert J. Audet took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Charlestown, R.I., for a gunnery training flight off Block Island.  He was piloting an F6F-5E Hellcat, (Bu. No. 72735).

     After making a run, he began to climb and noted that the oil pressure began to drop.  The propeller went into a low pitch, and as the oil pressure continued to drop the engine froze.  Ensign Audet was able to make a safe emergency landing in the water about a half-mile south of Block Island.  He scrambled out of the plane before it sank, and was rescued a short time later.

     Sources:

     National Archives, AAR 11-45; TD450613RI, via Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated June 13, 1945

Charlestown, R.I. – September 29. 1952

Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 29, 1952

 

U.S. Navy
Grumman F9F Panther
U.S. Navy Photo – National Archives

     On September 29, 1952, a flight of Grumman F9F Panther fighter jets took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight.  The purpose of the flight was to practice carrier landings, or “bounce drills” at the Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station. 

     At one point during the exercise, one aircraft, (Bu. No. 125308), crashed on Quonochontaug Beach in Charlestown.  The aircraft was approaching the beach from the west before it suddenly dropped to the sand about one mile east of the ocean end of East Beach Road, and bounced “two or three times”, before cart-wheeling into the water on the Atlantic side. 

     The accident was witnessed by a man operating a bulldozer nearby who was in the process of pushing up sand dunes along the beach.  The man ran to the scene of the crash, but when he got there the unidentified navy pilot was wading ashore on his own in no need of rescue.  The aircraft was completely wrecked, but the pilot only received minor injuries.    

     Source:

     Providence Journal, “Quonset Pilot Escapes Crash In Surf With Minor Injuries”, September 30, 1952

 

Off Watch Hill, R.I. – October 26, 1944

Off Watch Hill, Rhode Island – October 26, 1944

    

Ensign Norman Francis Day U.S. Navy - WWII

Ensign Norman Francis Day
U.S. Navy – WWII

     At 6:52 p.m., on October 26, 1944, Ensign Norman Francis Day, 20, piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70895), and Ensign W. D. Cochran, piloting another F6F Hellcat, took off from Charlestown Aux. Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a night training mission. 

     The pair flew to Fisher’s Island, New York, (Off the eastern end of Long Island) and engaged in simulated strafing maneuvers on searchlight positions.  After about 40 minutes, Ensign Cochran attempted to call Ensign Day by radio and got no response. 

     A fisherman on a boat reported a plane apparently experiencing engine trouble had crashed into the water about 2 miles due south of Watch Hill, Rhode Island.  Watch Hill is in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island.

    

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat U.S. Navy photo

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     The crash was not witnessed by Ensign Cochran.

     At the time of his death, Ensign Day was assigned to Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 27, (CASU-27), assigned to the Naval Air Station at Charlestown, Rhode Island.  He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  (See link below.) 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195859628/norman-francis-day

     Source:

     Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Rhode Island.  

     U.S. navy aircraft accident report 48-44

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – May 24, 1966

Quonset Point Naval Air Station  – May 24, 1966

     On the night of May 24, 1966, Lieut. Cmdr. Bruce R. Richmond, 31, and Lieut. Stephen Losey, 37, were practicing landings and take offs at Quonset Point Naval Air Station when their twin-engine aircraft crashed in Narragansett Bay.  Both men were killed. The type of aircraft was not stated.

     Lieut. Cmdr. Richmond is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.  To see a photo of his grave see www.findagrave.com memorial #3427105.

     Lieut. Losey is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  To see a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com memorial #49249517.   He was from New Jersey.

     Sources:

     New York Times, “Two Navy Fliers Die In Crash”, May 25, 1966

     www.findagrave.com

Off Point Judith, R.I. – July 16, 1943

15 Miles Off Point Judith, Rhode Island – July 16, 1943

    Updated March 9, 2018         

    

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On July 16, 1943, a division of navy F6F-3 Hellcats were engaged in a “Fighter Director Practice” off southern Rhode Island when an army P-47 Thunderbolt made two passes at the group.  Both passes were made from out of the sun, and each time the P-47 came within 50 to 200 yards of the division of Hellcats. 

     According to the U.S. Navy accident report, (#44-7667), “Immediately following the second pass, Ensign Staab entered a high speed stall from an abrupt climbing turn, resulting in a vertical dive and progressive stall.”  Ensign Staab, age 23, was killed when his Hellcat, (Bu. No. 25848), then dove into the Atlantic Ocean 15 miles off Point Judith, R.I.

     Ensign Staab was assigned to Fighting Squadron 31, (VF0-31).

     His hometown is listed as Burlington, Vermont.  He’s buried in Kingston, New York.

     The army P-47 was from the 326th Fighter Group at Westover Field.  There is a notation in the report that the pilot was disciplined however, he is not identified.  

     Sources:

     Rhode Island Department Of Health, death certificate.

     U.S. Navy Accident Report, #44-7667, dated July 16, 1943

Quonset Point, R.I. – November 16, 1956

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – November 16, 1956

Updated February 21, 2024

     On November 16, 1956, a U.S. Navy, S2F-1 Sentinel, twin-engine aircraft crashed just after take off from Quonset Point NAS.  The plane went down 200 yards off the seawall at the end of Runway 5, and sank in 30 feet of water in Narragansett Bay.  All three crewmen aboard were killed.  

     The victims were identified as:

     Lieutenant Charles Kiesling of Fenton, Michigan. 

      Lieutenant (Jg.) Robert Stack of Iowa City, Iowa.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219577901/robert-phillip-stack

     Aviation Electronics tech. 2/c John Balunas of Greene, N.Y.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70119765/john-henry-balunas   

     The aircraft was assigned to Antisubmarine Squadron 39 at Quonset Point.  

     Sources:

     Lewiston Evening Journal, (Me.) “Three Killed In Crash Of Navy Plane”, November 16, 1956.

     Fall River Herald News, (Ma.) “Navy Is Probing Plane Crash At Quonset”, November 17, 1956. 

 

Off Jamestown, R.I. – September 4, 1942

Off Jamestown, Rhode Island – September 4, 1942

Updated March 9, 2019.

     On September 4, 1942, a Navy plane with two men aboard crashed in the water about 1,000 yards off Beavertail Light in Jamestown.  At the time, the area known as Beavertail was occupied by a coastal artillery unit to protect Narragansett Bay, and Beavertail Light was occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard.  Today the area is a state park, and the light is automated, and now serves as a museum.

     The crash was witnessed by shore personnel, four of whom entered the water and swam out to rescue the airmen.  They were identified at Privates First Class V.S. Sousa, and F. A. Hamilton, Corporal D. A. Corey, and Seaman Second Class R. F. Kirscher. The men reached the wreck at the same time as a passing Coast Guard boat.

     The plane’s crew consisted of (Pilot) Lieutenant (Jg.) Harry K. Stubbs, 29, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3C Fred Schumm, 20, of New York.  Lt. Stubbs was unconscious from a head  injury, while Schumm was cut and bleeding in several places.  Both were taken to the Fort Getty hospital located at Jamestown.

     The type of aircraft was not stated. It was reportedly recovered. 

     Lt. (Jg.) Stubbs survived the WWII and remained with the navy afterward.  He died on June 24, 1946 when the aircraft he was n crashed on take off from the Chincoteague Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Virginia.  Two others in the plane were also killed.  

     Commander Stubbs was born in Shawmut, Alabama, on August 3, 1913, but the family later moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he grew up on Bridge St.  He graduated Fairhaven High School and Silver Bay Preparatory School, and Columbia University.   He entered the Navy in May of 1937, and began his flying career at the navy base in Squantum, Mass.  He served aboard the aircraft carriers Lexington, Wasp, Enterprise, and Manila Bay.  During the war he commanded Composite Group 80 aboard the Manila Bay, which took part in a six month tour of duty in the Philippines.  During his service he is credited with shooting down two Japanese aircraft.  Among his medals earned are the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.  He’s buried in Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven, Mass.

     Sources:

     New York Times, “Plane Dives Into Sea; Crew Of Two Saved”, September 5, 1942

     Fiarhaven Star, (Mass.) “Stubbs Rescued After Plane Crash”, September 10, 1942            

     Fiarhaven Star, “Commander Harry K. Stubbs Dies In Airplane Crash”, June 27, 1946.

     www.findagrave.com, Memorial #10683521

Quonset Point, R.I. – May 1, 1962

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – May 1, 1962

     On May 1, 1962, an U.S. Navy, AD5W Skyraider, crashed on take off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  The plane went down in the waters of Narragansett Bay about 500 years northeast of Pier 2. 

     Both crewmen aboard were killed.  They were identified as:

     (Pilot) Lieutenant Harold E. Richlie, 27, of Missoula, Montana.  he was survived by his wife Janet.

     Parachute Rigger 2C Kenneth M. Robinson, 33, of Randolph, Massachusetts.  He was survived by his wife Ann.

     The aircraft was assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 33.

     Source:

     Lewiston Evening Journal, “Fear Two Dead In Navy Crash”, May 2, 1962 

    

Newport, R.I. – November 4, 1951

Newport, Rhode Island – November 4, 1951 

    

U.S. Navy  Grumman F9F Panther U.S. Navy Photo - National Archives

U.S. Navy
Grumman F9F Panther
U.S. Navy Photo – National Archives

     On Sunday, November 4, 1951, a flight of several U.S. Navy, Grumman F9F-5 Panther jets took off from Quonset Point for a routine training mission.  While over the Newport metropolitan area, one of the aircraft (Bu. No. 125269) suddenly began trailing “yellowish smoke” and loosing altitude.   

     The pilot, Ensign Ralph Anthony Lennon, 23, of Flushing, New York, elected to stay with the aircraft to maneuver it away from a populated area and aimed the plane towards the water near Easton’s Beach. 

     Witnesses on the ground reported that after trailing smoke, the plane suddenly burst into flame and began to break apart.  The tail section came down on top of a home at 77 Cottage Street while the main body of the plane came down on property at 396 and 428 Gibbs Avenue.  Cottage Street intersects with Gibbs Avenue, and the three locations are close to each other, and close to Easton Pond behind Easton’s Beach.

     Ensign Lennon was killed in the crash.  Had he not stayed with his aircraft it would have crashed in downtown Newport where the streets were crowded with people and traffic.  As it was, pieces of his jet rained down over an area a 1/2 mile from the crash site, with one piece reportedly narrowly missed a baby sleeping in its carriage.

     There were no reports of anyone on the ground being injured, and the debris that landed on homes didn’t start any fires. 

     Thousands of onlookers descended on the area, sifting through debris, trampling the scene, and hampering fire and rescue efforts. 

     The cause of the accident wasn’t immediately apparent.        

     Ensign Lennon was born October 9, 1928.  He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in The Bronx, N.Y., and the University of Iowa, before joining the navy in 1946.  He was a veteran of the Korean War, and at the time of his death was attached to VF-71, then stationed at Quonset Point.  He’s buried in Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York. 

     Sources:

     Newport Daily News, “Navy To Probe Crash Of Quonset Jet Plane In City” November 5, 1951, Page 1

     Newport Daily News, “Navy Jet Plane Crash Spectators Give harrowing Stories Of Incident”, November 5, 1951, page 1.

     Newport Daily News, “Navy Salvage Crew Clears Scene Of Jet Crash”, November 6, 1951, page 3.

     www.Findagrave.com – Ralph Anthony Lennon

     

    

Sakonnet River, Tiverton, R.I. – September 29, 1942

Sakonnet River, Tiverton, Rhode Island – September 29, 1942

Updated June 19, 2018

Updated January 13, 2019

Updated January 25, 2022

 

Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo

     On the morning of September 29, 1942, a U.S. Navy Grumman JF-1 Duck, (Bu. No. 9455), and a U.S. Army P-40 fighter, (Ser. No. 41-14186), were involved in a mid-air collision over the Sakonnet River.  A security guard who’d witnessed the incident said that there had been three aircraft in close proximity to each other just prior to the accident, and that after the collision, two of the planes fell into the river.   

     Another witness to the accident was George Helger of Tiverton, who was working on his scallop boat off Jack Island Point south of an area known as Stone Bridge.  He saw two parachutes deploy and watched as the aviators dropped down into the water, and immediately went to their aid.  The first man he reached was Lt. Cmdr. Clarence A. Hawkins, the pilot of the Grumman aircraft.  After rescuing Hawkins, Helger set off to save the other man, 2nd. Lt. Robert A. Marsh, 24, the pilot of the army airplane, but Marsh sank beneath the water before he could be reached.    

Grumman Duck
U. S. Navy Photo

     Helger also came upon a body floating in the water and retrieved it.  The parachute the man was wearing hadn’t been opened.  He was identified as Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3/c James Harris Elmer, Jr., 18, of Bridgeton, New Jersey.  Elmer had been aboard the Grumman craft. 

     It was also reported that a third man aboard the Grumman airplane, a radio operator identified in the press only by his last name, “McAlendon”, was missing.  However, it seems the name was misspelled. 

     Update: According to U.S. Navy report 43-4907, the missing man was RM2c Homer D. McLendon, and not “McAlendon”.  

     Lt. Robert Marsh is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82428815/robert-a-marsh

     AMM 3/c James Elmer is buried in Fernwood Memorial Park, Bridgeton, New Jersey.  

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144801195/james-h-elmer

     Lt. Cmdr. Clarence Hawkins was from Wichita, Kansas.  Burial information unknown.

     RM2c Homer McLendon was from Providence, R. I. Burial information unknown.     

    No further information is available as of this update.

    

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy accident report #43-4907

     Fall River Herald, “Army and Navy Planes In Crash”, September 30, 1942

     North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #42-29

     Findagrave.com  Memorial # 144801195  (Shows a photo of the grave.)

 

Off Block Island – July 28, 1944

Off Block Island – July 28, 1944

    

U.S. Navy Avengers National Archives Photo

U.S. Navy Avengers
National Archives Photo

     On the night of July 28, 1944, a U.S. Navy TBM-1D Avenger (Bu. No. 47455) was on a routine flight over the Atlantic Ocean -possibly on anti-submarine patrol – when it crashed about five miles south of Block Island.  Exactly what happened to the aircraft was never determined. 

      The aircraft was assigned to Escort Scouting Squadron 13, (VC-13). 

      All three crewmen aboard were lost.

     (The Pilot) Lieutenant William Van Arsdale Wilson, of Marysville, Calif.  Lt. Wilson was born July 4, 1919, and enlisted in the Naval Air Corps in August of 1941.  He was promoted to Lt. (jg.) in June, 1943, and to full Lieutenant on July 1, 1944.  He’d been with VC-13 for 19 months.  He’s buried in New Castle Cemetery in Newcastle, California.  (See Findagrave.com  #9376360 for a photo of his grave.)

     Aviation Radioman 2C Lloyd Elmer Hay, of Apopka, Fla.  AV2C Hay was born April 15, 1921, and is buried at Ft. Donelson National Cemetery in Dover, Tenn.  (See Findagrave.com  #132967419 for a photo of his grave.)

     Aviation Meatelsmith 2C James Wilburn Glover.  

     Sources:

     Newport Mercury, Navy Gives Names Of Missing Flyers” August 4, 1944

     Larry Webster, Aviation Historian and Archeologist.

     Findagrave.com

East Greenwich, R. I. – May 16, 1944

East Greenwich, Rhode Island – May 16, 1944 

Near the Exeter town line, off Shippey Road

Updated December 8, 2018

    

F6F Hellcat U.S. Navy Photo

F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     At 10:50 a.m. on the morning of May 16, 1944, Lt. Cmdr. David Wooster Taylor, Jr., 32, took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a F6F-3 Hellcat (Bu. No. 41944) for a routine training mission.  Fifteen minutes later his aircraft was observed by witnesses on the ground to be at about 3,000 feet and flying level when it suddenly went onto a spinning dive from which it did not recover.  Lt. Cmdr. Taylor was killed when his aircraft crashed and burned at the Sunset Valley Reservation in East Greenwich.  The cause of the crash was not stated in newspapers.

     Due to the complete destruction of the aircraft investigators were not able to determine an exact cause for the accident.   

     Lt. Cmdr. Taylor was reportedly survived by his wife Virginia, and two young children, Jean, 4, and David, 3.

     A housing development now stands on the site where this accident took place.

     Lt. Cmdr. Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) for his part in an attack against enemy shipping off Bodo, Norway, on October 4, 1943.   

     To learn more about Lt. Cmdr. Taylor, and to see a photo of him, go to https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_W._TAYLOR,_JR.,_LCDR,_USN

Sources:

Woonsocket Call, “Lt. Cmdr. D. W. Taylor Killed In Plane Crash”, May 17, 1944, Pg. 1

North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records

The Standard, “Quonset Pilot Falls To Death”, May 18, 1944

U. S. Navy Crash report, #44-14197

      

Exeter, R. I. – September 8, 1943

Exeter, Rhode Island – September 8, 1943

Updated March 9, 2018

    

F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo

     Navy pilot Ensign Robert R. Hirshkind was killed instantly when his F4U-1 Corsair, (Bu. No. 02368), crashed on the farm of Wallace Foster in the town of Exeter, R. I.  Ensign Hirshkind had been on a formation training flight out of Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the accident occurred.  Approximately 12 miles south-west of Wickford the flight encountered thick overcast that dropped nearly to the ground.  The accident occurred as the flight was descending through the overcast on instruments.  

     Ensign Hirshkind was assigned to Night Fighter Squadron 75, (VF(n)-75).

Sources:

     The Standard, “Exeter Plane Crash Kills Navy Pilot”, September 9, 1943, Pg. 8 

     U.S. Navy Accident report, #44-8367, dated September 8, 1943

Off Conimicut Point, R.I. – August 3, 1916

Off Conimicut Point, Rhode Island – August 3, 1916 

Updated January 1, 2022.

     The information about this accident comes from a small news item that appeared in the Norwich Bulletin on August 5, 1916, Page 1, under the heading “Condensed Telegraphs”. 

     The new hydro-aeroplane of the Rhode Island Naval Militia struck a submerged oyster stake off Conimicut Point in Narragansett Bay.

     No further details were given. 

     Another news item found in The El Paso Herald, dated August 3, 1916, read as follows: “The hydroplane presented to the Rhode Island Naval Militia by Miss Lyra Brown Nickerson, struck a submerged oyster stake and partly sank off Conimicut.  Later it was drawn into shallow water to be repaired.”   

Atlantic Ocean – July 23, 1942

Atlantic Ocean – July 23, 1942

Approximate Location: Lat. 40-40 N, long. 70-25 W.  

Updated January 16, 2023

OS2U Kingfisher U.S. Navy Photo

OS2U Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo

     On July 23, 1942, a flight of U.S. Navy Kingfisher aircraft were on a training flight over the Atlantic off the coast of Rhode Island when they encountered what the navy termed “extremely bad weather”.   As the planes continued on visibility dropped to near zero. 

     One of the planes was piloted by Ensign Harold W. Gray, 25, from Long Eddy, New York.  With him was an observer, Lieutenant (jg) William Boddie Bartels, of Memphis, Tenn.  Upon entering the weather system, the flight leader signaled to Gray close in tighter which he did, taking a position to the leader’s right.  The leader wanted Gray to be able to keep him n sight as visibility dropped.  The flight leader went on instrument flight shortly afterwards, and at this time the planes were only 500 feet above the water. 

     The leader began a shallow turn to the right, and as he did so, Gray elected to slide his aircraft up and over the tail of the leader to take a new position on the leader’s left.  Gray’s aircraft disappeared into the scud and was never seen again. 

     According to the naval investigation report, it was the opinion of naval investigators that Gray, “lost sight of the leader and being in an unusual position and finding himself with no reference point, due to vertigo, he was unable to orient himself on instruments in time to avoid crashing into the water.” 

    The aircraft was an OS2U-3 Kingfisher, Bu. No. 09404, assigned to Quonset Point Naval Air Station, VB-9. 

     To see more info about Lt. (jg) Bartels and Ens. Gray, click on the links below. 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84389917/harold-william-gray

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77497519/william-boddie-bartels

Sources:

U.S. Navy Accident Investigation Brief #43-4537

Woonsocket Call, “Navy Airmen Lost On Patrol Flight”, July 24, 1942, Pg. 1

The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.) “Navy Plane Lost With Two Aboard”, July 24, 1942, pg. 4     

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