East Greenwich, Rhode Island – November 22, 1971

       On November 22, 1971, a twin-engine Aero Commander 560A, (Reg. No. N87K), took off from Chatham, Massachusetts, bound for Newark, New Jersey.  The plane carried a pilot, co-pilot, and four passengers. 

     As the flight was passing over Rhode Island it encountered sleet, a low cloud ceiling, and icing conditions on the wings.  Ground fog was also present.  When one of the engines began to run erratically, the pilot radioed T. F. Green Airport in Warwick, R. I., and requested landing instructions.   As the flight was headed toward Green, the aircraft went down in a thickly-wooded swampy area off South Road in East Greenwich.  

     The distressed aircraft was witnessed by a local resident who immediately notified authorities.  When rescue workers reached the scene they had to extricate the injured from the fuselage.  All were transported to Kent County Hospital where one 58-year-old woman passenger succumbed to her injuries.   

     Sources:

     The Rhode Island Pendulum, “1 Killed, 5 Injured in E. G. Plane Crash”, November 24, 1971, page 1.  

     NTSB report #NYC72AN069

     Aviation Safety Network