from author and historian Jim Ignasher
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – May 8, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
At 2:00 a.m. on the morning of May 8, 1945, an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70543), was approaching the runway of the Martha’s Vineyard Naval Air Station when one of the wings clipped an unlighted obstruction which caused the aircraft to crash. The plane suffered considerable damage, but the pilot was not seriously injured.
Source: U. S. Navy crash report 4-45
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – April 8, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of April 8, 1945, an Ensign piloting an F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 71551), was approaching the runway at Martha’s Vineyard Air Field, but forgot to lower the landing gear. The aircraft landed with the wheels up and began to skid along the tarmac during which time the belly fuel tank ruptured and burst into flame. Fortunately the pilot was able to escape the burning plane unharmed. The aircraft was destroyed by the fire.
Source: U.S. Navy crash report
Off Martha’s Vineyard – March 8, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
Shortly before noon on March 8, 1945, an Ensign was piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Ser. No. 42764), on a bombing practice flight off shore from Martha’s Vineyard. After completing a run, the engine began to race and the prop began to spin at 3500 RPM. Corrective measures were taken by the pilot but to no avail, and then the engine began to cut out and loose power. The pilot made an emergency landing in the water and managed to escape from the aircraft before it sank. He was rescued, but suffered from exposure from being in the cold water.
According to the U.S. Navy crash investigation report, the aircraft was not salvaged. The reason for the engine failure could not be determined.
Source: U. S. Navy crash investigation report
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – May 8, 1945
Updated January 12, 2018
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the morning of May 8, 1945, Lieutenant Joseph F. Koll, Jr., 29, of Boise, Idaho, was taking off from Martha’s Vineyard Naval Auxiliary Air Field in an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Ser. No. 70448), for a scheduled training flight. When the aircraft had reached an altitude of about 50 feet it suddenly rolled over and dove into the ground and exploded, killing Lt. Koll. The cause of the accident was undetermined.
Lieutenant Koll’s body was brought to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, before being transported to Idaho for burial. He’s buried in Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise, Section N 68-2. To see a photo of Lt. Koll, see findagrave.com Memorial #53030333.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53030333/joseph-f-koll
Sources:
U.S. Navy crash investigation report
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records.
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