Bridgeport Airport, CT – January 18, 1942

Bridgeport Airport, Connecticut – January 18, 1942

    

P-39 Aircobra - U.S. Air Force Photo

P-39 Aircobra – U.S. Air Force Photo

     On the afternoon of January 18, 1942, 2nd Lt. Burdette L. Wertman landed in a P-39D (Ser. No. 41-6801) at Bridgeport Airport after a routine training flight.  As the aircraft touched down and began rolling down the runway, Lt. Wertman discovered that the brakes were inoperable.  The aircraft continued rolling until it struck a dirt wall at the end of the runway.  The collision wrecked the aircraft, but Wertman was uninjured.   

     Source: U. S. Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-1-15-4

     Lieutenant Wertman perished in another aviation accident at Bridgeport on July 13, 1942.  To learn more, click here: Bridgeport, Ct. July 13, 1942 

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