Groton, Connecticut – June 14, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On June 14, 1944, Lt. A. C. Howard was practicing air defensive tactics with other aircraft at an altitude between five to six thousand feet over the Groton area. At one point Lt. Howard’s aircraft, an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42754), and another F6F-3, (Bu. No. 41482), were involved in a mid-air collision. Lt. Howard was killed when his plane plunged into the waters of Long Island Sound off Groton. The other aircraft was able to land safely.
The aircraft were part of Fighter Squadron 46, (VF-46).
Source: U.S. Navy Crash Investigation Report dated June 14, 1944.
