Rockland, ME. – May 20, 1936

Rockland, Maine – May 20, 1936

     On May 20, 1936, a cabin-type amphibious aircraft belonging to the Stanley Boynton Flying Service took off from the harbor of Rockland, Maine, with a pilot and six passengers aboard.  Shortly after becoming airborne, witnesses stated the plane climbed upwards to about 100 feet, and then nosed over and dove into the water just inside the breakwater of Rockland Harbor.  The pilot and five passengers were able to escape as the cabin portion filled with water and sank.  Some clung to the pontoons which were still above water.  Unfortunately one passenger, a 55-year-old man from Rockland, was unable to get out and perished. 

     The crash was witnessed by the crew of a Coast Guard cable boat AB-9 which immediately went to the scene and rendered assistance.

     The survivors were transported to a local hospital for treatment of various injuries. 

     The aircraft was later towed to shore and the passenger’s body removed. 

     Source: The Nashua Telegraph,  “Passenger Killed Six Are Rescued”, May 20, 1936, page 1. 

Rockland, ME – April 28, 1944

Rockland, Maine – April 28, 1944

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On April 28, 1944, Ensign Kenneth C. McKay, age 22, was killed while piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42238), on a gunnery training flight over Rockland, Maine.  The crash occurred about 300 yards north of the Naval Auxiliary Air Field. 

     Source: U.S. navy Accident Report

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