Prinster-Hogg Park

Scituate, Rhode Island

A View of Prinster-Hogg Park, Scituate, R.I.

     On February 21, 1982, Pilgrim Airlines Flight 458 took off from New York’s La Guardia Airport bound for Boston carrying several passengers and a crew of two; the pilot, Thomas N. Prinster, and co-pilot, Lyle W. Hogg.  As the plane was passing over Rhode Island a fire erupted in the cockpit due to a malfunction with the alcohol-fed de-icing system.  As flames burned their clothing away, and smoke choked their lungs, Prinster and Hogg remained at the controls  and successfully brought the plane down for a crash landing on the frozen Scituate Reservoir.  Though badly burned themselves, they assisted the passengers from the burning wreckage and led them to safety at the shore.   One passenger was lost, but the outcome could have ben far worse.    

Prinster-Hogg Park, Scituate R.I.
Large Engraved Rock

     Today a memorial to the incident can be found in Prinster-Hogg park located at the intersections of Routes 102, 14, and Rockland Road, (Known locally as “Crazy Corners”.) in Scituate, Rhode Island. 

     For a more detailed account of the accident refer to the book, “Rhode Island Disasters – Tales of Tragedy By Air, Sea And Rail.” by Jim Ignasher, published through The History Press. (2010)  

Prinster-Hogg Park, Scituate, Rhode Island.
Engraved Memorial