Aspinock Memories - 1953
The Grant Farm plane crash – four killed
WEST PUTNAM — May 7, 1953 Mrs. John Grant was in her home when she heard a plane in distress overhead. She ran out into her yard but could not see the military plane because of the fog. It swooped overhead a second time and she saw a glimpse of it. 
Nearby Bert Packham had heard the same low-flying roar and saw the plane attempt to climb when it suddenly disappeared into some woods. A moment later there was an explosion and then a huge fire ball above the trees.
Both walked to the site and, as Mrs. Grant told the Providence Journal: “It was a mess. I saw one man on the ground about 15 or 20 yards away from the plane.” Peckham said he saw two bodies in the fuselage, another about 50 feet from the wreckage and a fourth lying 150 feet away near the edge of Carpenter Brook. 
The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Quonset Point. All four men died on impact. Two priests administered last rites. 
The true cause of the crash is not known for sure. The report said “The plane initially hit some tree tops wheels down” supporting the theory that the pilot planned to make an emergency landing. Because of the cloud ceiling the pilot would have had to have been flying very low. One later report noted the presence of carboxyhemoglobin. The report hints that an exhaust leak into the cabin and bad weather contributed to the accident but the official cause is listed as “undetermined.” 
The Navy policy in 1953 was to bury downed naval aircraft where they fell. A bulldozer would have been used to make a trench and push the wreckage into it and then cover it with earth. 
Compiled by Linda Lemmon from report researched and written by Jim Ignasher in January 2008. The complete report is at the Aspinock Historical Society.
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