Groton, CT. – September 26, 1945

December 3, 2020

Groton, Connecticut – September 26, 1945

     On September 26, 1945, an a pilot in a FG-1D Corsair, (Bu. No. 87930), was practicing flight-carrier-landings at the Groton NAAF.  After five successful landings, the pilot was attempting a sixth when a strong cross-wind caused the aircraft to veer off the runway just as it touched down.  The aircraft ground looped and flipped onto its back.  The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. 

     Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 26, 1945

 

Filed Under: Connecticut - Military Tagged With: , , ,

Atlantic Ocean – January 26, 1950

August 7, 2020

Atlantic Ocean – January 26, 1950

 

Douglas Skyraider
U. S. Navy Photo

     On January 26, 1950, a flight of AD-3 Skyraider aircraft from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station were participating  in an aerobatic training exercise over the water about 2 miles southwest of Point Judith, R.I.   During the exercise, two aircraft, Bu. No. 122810, and Bu. No. 122831, were involved in a mid-air collision.  One pilot, Midshipman Donald H. Anrep, (21), from Pontiac, Michigan, was killed.  The other pilot survived. 

     Both pilots had been assigned to VA-74 stationed at Quonset Point.     

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy Accident Report dated January 26, 1950   

     The Evening Star, (Wash. D. C.), “Navy Pilot Missing In Sea”, January 27, 1950

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R. I. – January 11, 1944

February 1, 2019

Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 11, 1944

 

U.S. Navy Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo

     On January 11, 1944, an F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 11863), with a target tow sleeve attached, was in the process of taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station.  At the time, the aircraft had been cleared by the tower for takeoff. When the Wildcat was about two-thirds of the way down the runway, a Grumman J2E Duck suddenly landed ahead of, and in the path of the Wildcat.  To avoid a collision, the pilot of the Wildcat skidded to the left and went off the runway and plowed into a snowbank.  The pilot was not injured, but the Wildcat was in need of a major overhaul.  

     Nobody aboard the other aircraft was injured.  

 

Grumman Duck
U. S. Navy Photo

Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated January 11, 1944   

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Quonset Point, R.I. – November 16, 1956

February 26, 2016

Quonset Point Naval Air Station – November 16, 1956

Updated February 21, 2024

     On November 16, 1956, a U.S. Navy, S2F-1 Sentinel, twin-engine aircraft crashed just after take off from Quonset Point NAS.  The plane went down 200 yards off the seawall at the end of Runway 5, and sank in 30 feet of water in Narragansett Bay.  All three crewmen aboard were killed.  

     The victims were identified as:

     Lieutenant Charles Kiesling of Fenton, Michigan. 

      Lieutenant (Jg.) Robert Stack of Iowa City, Iowa.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219577901/robert-phillip-stack

     Aviation Electronics tech. 2/c John Balunas of Greene, N.Y.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70119765/john-henry-balunas   

     The aircraft was assigned to Antisubmarine Squadron 39 at Quonset Point.  

     Sources:

     Lewiston Evening Journal, (Me.) “Three Killed In Crash Of Navy Plane”, November 16, 1956.

     Fall River Herald News, (Ma.) “Navy Is Probing Plane Crash At Quonset”, November 17, 1956. 

 

Filed Under: Rhode Island - Military Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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