Off Martha’s Vineyard – March 8, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
Shortly before noon on March 8, 1945, an Ensign was piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Ser. No. 42764), on a bombing practice flight off shore from Martha’s Vineyard. After completing a run, the engine began to race and the prop began to spin at 3500 RPM. Corrective measures were taken by the pilot but to no avail, and then the engine began to cut out and loose power. The pilot made an emergency landing in the water and managed to escape from the aircraft before it sank. He was rescued, but suffered from exposure from being in the cold water.
According to the U.S. Navy crash investigation report, the aircraft was not salvaged. The reason for the engine failure could not be determined.
Source: U. S. Navy crash investigation report
