Taunton, Massachusetts – April 16, 1949
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On April 16, 1949, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 72664), took off from the Squantum Naval Air Station for a training flight. While over the area of Taunton, Massachusetts, the engine began to run erratically, so the pilot looked for an open area to make an emergency landing. Sighting one, he headed for it, but as he was making his approach the engine suddenly stopped running and the aircraft crashed into a wooded area. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot was seriously injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy Hellcat accident report dated April 16, 1949.
