Dow Air Force Base, ME. – August 23, 1952

 

F-80C Shooting Star
U.S. Air Force Photo

     In the early morning hours of August 23, 1952, a Maine Air National Guard F-80C Shooting Star, (Ser. No. 48-865), was taking off from Dow Air Force Base when it lost power and crashed and burned.   Although the aircraft was destroyed, the pilot escaped with only minor injuries. 

     Source:

     The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Jet Crashes, Pilot Escapes”, August 23, 1952

     Maine Wreck Chasers website 

Bangor, ME. – May 29, 1948

Bangor, Maine – May 29, 1948

 

P-47N Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo

     On May 29, 1948, Lt. Col. Dana E. Noel was piloting a P-47N fighter plane, (Ser. No. 44-89373), approaching Dow Air Force Base in Bangor when his aircraft suddenly experienced engine trouble.  Knowing he couldn’t make the runway, Colonel Noel aimed the plane towards an open field on a farm to make an emergency landing.  The plane crash landed but there was no fire.  Colonel Noel received serious injuries from which he later recovered.  

     Colonel Noel was the commanding officer of the 14th Airborne Group.  

     Source:

     The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Airdrome Group Chief Badly Hurt In Crash”. Mau 30, 1948.  

 

Dow Air Force Base – May 26, 1949

Dow Air Force Base – May 26, 1949

Bangor, Maine

    

F-84 Thunderjet - U.S. Air Force Photo

F-84 Thunderjet – U.S. Air Force Photo

     On May 26, 1949, an Air Force F-84B Thunderjet, (#45-59537), was returning to Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine, due to an onboard fire.  The plane crash landed in a wooded area next to the field, smashing its way through 100 feet of brush and small trees before erupting in flame.  The pilot managed to escape unharmed. 

     The pilot was identified by the press as being 2nd Lt. Albert H. Bull, 22, of Verbank, New York, assigned to the 49th Fighter Squadron at Dow AFB.   

     Source: Lewiston Daily Sun, “Dow Air Base Pilot Survives Jet Crash”, May 27, 1949    

Charleston, ME – May 16, 1949

Charleston, Maine – May 16, 1949 

    

F-84 Thunderjet - U.S. Air Force Photo

F-84 Thunderjet – U.S. Air Force Photo

     On the morning of May 16, 1949, a flight of four U.S. Air Force F-84 jets was scheduled to take off from Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, for a routine training mission.  Shortly before take off, the pilot of one aircraft advised the flight leader that the tail pipe temperature gauge on his F-84 wasn’t working.  He was advised to change aircraft, and while he was doing so, the other three F-84’s took off. 

      After being assigned another F-84, (#45-59538A), the pilot took off and was going to rejoin the other three F-84’s, but was advised against doing so, and ordered to fly solo around the Bangor area.  After flying for about an hour, the pilot noticed another flight of three F-84’s from his squadron and according to the air force investigation report, “in accordance with an unwritten squadron SOP. joined the formation.”  

     The pilot moved into the number four position of the three ship formation, however he never radioed the flight leader, and the flight leader didn’t ask for identification.  What followed next was a case of follow the leader, and after the flight went through a series of aerobatic maneuvers, it was noticed that the fourth plane was no longer with them.   The missing aircraft wasn’t immediately reported as the flight leader assumed the fourth plane had run out of fuel and returned to base.  In reality, the missing F-84 had crashed and exploded in the town of Charleston.  The other three F-84’s returned to base without incident.

     Exactly what occurred to the fourth plane is unclear.  The last thing the pilot remembered was beginning a series of rolls, and then waking up on the ground with a civilian doctor administering to his injuries which had evidently been obtained when he bailed out of the aircraft.   

     Investigators discovered that the entire left wing, the right wing outboard panel, empennage, and canopy, were not at the crash site.  These were later found in a heavily wooded swampy area, indicating they may have broken free while the aircraft was in flight or while it was falling.

     Source: Air Force Crash Investigation Report, #49-5-16-1       

Dow Field, ME – June 13, 1947

Dow Field, Maine – June 13, 1947

    

P-47 Thunderbolt - U.S. Air Force Photo

P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo

     On June 13, 1947, 1st Lt. James B. Clouse was piloting a P-47 Thunderbolt, (#44-89427) from New York to Dow Field in Bangor when the aircraft’s canopy became covered with oil and dust obscuring his vision.  To further complicate matters, the aircraft’s radio had ceased working.   

     He reached Dow Field just before 9:00 p.m., and circled in an attempt to establish radio contact, but was unsuccessful.  Those in the control tower realized something was wrong, and turned on the lights of runway 22.  The night was dark and there was no moon, further hindering the pilot’s vision.  

     As Lt. Clouse came in to land he realized he’d over shot the runway and went around for a second try.  On his second approach the landing gear struck soft ground at the end of the runway and broke free.  The aircraft’s momentum carried it down the runway on its belly causing major damage to the plane.  Fortunately Lt. Clouse escaped without injury.     

    

     Source: Air Force Crash Investigation Report, #47-6-13-2 

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