ID | #1632407662 |
Added | Thu, 23/09/2021 |
Author | July N. |
Sources | The Nashville Banner
|
Phenomena | |
Status | Research
|
Initial data
Nashville, Tennessee, September 22, 1945, p.
Unidentified Flight Blamed for Miami Plane Crash; Two were killed
Miami, Fla., Sept. 22 - (UP) Captain D. L. Day, commander of the Naval Air Station Melbourne, Fla., today blamed the crash on an unidentified formation that veered into the flight path of five ships from Melbourne. last night, two Nay fighters.
Day made a statement today after questioning the commander of the ill-fated formation. He did not give the name of the flight commander.
Day said the group was on a regular flight from Melbourne to Miami. He was supposed to return via Civil Airways. As he neared the end of his journey to the south, another group of night planes appeared to meet him.
The flight commander is quoted as saying that he ordered his squad to disperse and rendezvous over Biscayne Bay. Day said that it was during the disassembly procedure that two F6F3S blocked the wings, dived half a turn and crashed into the business district of the city, killing both pilots.
Day said the flight director called for the breakup because he was not familiar with the Miami area, and glare from city lights could interfere with the pilot's view.
Day found that the loss of the two planes was approximately $ 62,000 each.
The names of the two victims were known, but are not being released until next of kin are notified, Day said.
Meanwhile, city officials estimated the loss of a civilian enterprise and a navy warehouse at about $ 75,000.
Original news
The Nashville Banner
Nashville, Tennessee, BANNER, 22 September 1945, page 1
Unidentified Flight Blamed for Miami Crash; Two Killed
Miami, Fla., Sept. 22 - (UP) Capt. D. L. Day, commanding officer of the Melbourne, Fla. Naval Air Base, today blamed an unidentified formation that swung into the path of a five-ship flight from Melbourne for the crash last night of two Nay fighter planes.
Day issued a statement today after interrogating the flight leader of the ill-fated formation. He did not reveal the name of the flight commander.
Day said the formation was on a routine flight from Melbourne to Miami. It was scheduled to return via Civil Airways. As it approached the end of its south-bound journey, another formation of night-flying aircraft swung into its path.
The flight leader is quoted as saying that he ordered his formation to break up and rendezvous over Biscayne Bay. It was during the breaking up procedure, Day said, that two of the F6F3's locked wings, dived a half-turn, and crashed into a business section of the city, killing both pilots.
Day said the flight leader had called for the breakup because he was not familiar with the Miami area, and the glare from city lights might hinder the pilot's vision.
Day set the loss of two planes at approximately $62,000 each.
Names of the two victims were known, but not revealed pending notification of next of kin, Day said.
Meanwhile, city officials estimated the loss of a civilian business and a Navy operation warehouse at approximately $75,000.
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