Quonset Point Naval Air Station – April 3, 1949
P2V Neptune
U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 3, 1949, a P2V-3 Neptune, (Bu. No. 122974), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station on an “airways navigational flight” to Key West Florida. Besides the regular crew complement, the aircraft was carrying 11 pilots and 7 enlisted men scheduled to report for duty at the naval air station in Key West. About 30 minutes into the flight the left engine began to run rough and loose power so the pilot was forced to turn back to Quonset Point. Due to the weight load in the aircraft and reduced engine power, the aircraft made a “hard landing” causing damage to the aircraft, however, nobody on board was injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated April 3, 1949
