Charlestown, R. I. – May 20, 1945

Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 20, 1945

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On May 20, 1945, an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 79082), was about to land on the runway at the Charlestown Naval Air Station when the right wing suddenly dropped and hit the tarmac causing the plane to leave the runway and flip over onto its back.   The pilot suffered minor injuries, and the plane was damaged.

     Source: U. S. Navy crash report.    

 

Charlestown, R.I. – May 7, 1945

Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 7, 1945 

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On the night of May 7, 1945, an Ensign was taxiing in an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 71572), along the runway at Charlestown Naval Air Station, and didn’t see another F6F-5N, (Bu. No. 71938), occupied by a Lieutenant Commander, that was parked on the runway.  Both aircraft had their running lights on at the time.  The Ensign’s aircraft collided with the one occupied by the Lieutenant Commander and both aircraft were damaged beyond repair.  Fortunately, neither pilot was seriously injured.      

     Source: U. S. Navy crash report.      

Charlestown NAS – August 21, 1949

Charlestown Aux. Naval Air Station – August 21, 1949

     On August 21, 1949, this U.S. Navy, TBM-3E, Avenger, (Bu. No. 53100), stalled at an altitude of 50 feet while landing at Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island.  The pilot was uninjured. 

     The aircraft was determined to be beyond repair, and was bulldozed into a pit and buried.  

TBM-3E Avenger BU. No. 53100 Charlestown NAS August 21, 1949

TBM-3E Avenger BU. No. 53100

Charlestown NAS August 21, 1949

TBM-3E BU. No. 53100 Charlestown, R.I. Aug. 21, 1949

TBM-3E BU. No. 53100

Charlestown, R.I. Aug. 21, 1949

     Source: Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.,

     Photos via Donald Campbell/Larry Webster 

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