Windsor Locks, Connecticut – April 8, 1942
P-38 Lightning
U.S. Air Force photo
On April 8, 1942, a U.S. Army P-38 Lightning fighter plane, (Ser. No. AE-982) crashed at Bradley Field in Windsor Locks. The pilot, Second Lieutenant Philip R. McKevitt (Age 28) of Vinton, Iowa, was killed.
Source: The Woonsocket Call, “Army Pilot Killed At Windsor Locks”, April 8, 1942.
Update March 5, 2016
Just after takeoff, Lt. McKevitt noticed a problem with the right engine, and attempted to circle around back to base for landing. (Witnesses later reported hearing the engine sputtering.) As he was doing so, the aircraft went into a spin with insufficient altitude to recover, and crashed. The plane came down in an area a quarter of a mile from the Turnpike Road in the southwest section of Bradley Field, and burned.
The crash investigation committee requested that the right engine be sent to Middletown Air Depot to be dismantled and checked for any signs of sabotage.
Lt. McKevitt began his flight training on May 3, 1941, and graduated from Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, on December 12, 1941. He arrived at Bradley Field only the week before his accident.
Lt. McKevitt is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton, Iowa, Lot 76-so. part of N. For a photo of his grave see www.findagrave.com memorial #43301321
Sources:
U.S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-4-8-1
Windsor Locks Journal, “Army Pursuit Planes In Two Fatal Crashes”, April 9, 1942
The Waterbury Democrat, “Second Fatal Plane Crash In 48 Hours – 2nd Lt. Killed”, April 8, 1942
