Saugus, Massachusetts – February 9, 1941

     On February 9, 1941, a single-engine private biplane was stunt flying over Saugus.  Witnesses recalled that the plane had just completed three loops and was beginning a fourth when it suddenly dove to the ground from an altitude of 400 feet.  The plane crashed in the yard of a home belonging to Harry Butler, just missing the house by a few feet.  Both men aboard the plane were killed.

     The dead were identified as Laurence G. Hanscom, 34, of Worcester, Mass., and Dr. Anthony V. Carbone, 34, of Cambridge, Mass.     

     The plane had been a trainer aircraft, with a dual set of controls.  Dr. Carbone had been a student pilot.   

     Hanscom was a well known newspaper correspondent working for the Worcester Telegram, and had been a pilot since 1919.   He was also the commander of the Massachusetts Wing of the Civilian Air Reserve.  The group numbered about 150 licensed pilots, and others interested in aerial photography and map making.

     His death occurred the day before he was scheduled to enter the Royal Canadian Flying Corps as an instructor.  (At the time of this accident, the United States hadn’t entered World War II.)    

     In February 1943, Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts, was named in his honor.

     Sources:

     (New Hampshire) The Nashua Telegraph, “No Explanation For Saugus Crash”, February 10, 1941

     (Maine) Lewiston Daily Sun, “Airplane Crash Kills Two Men At Saugus”, February 10, 1941