1949 — July 30, Eastern Airlines flight 557 hit by USN Hellcat fighter ~Chesterfield, NJ– 16

–16 Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. Eastern Airlines Flight 557, 30 Jul 1949.
–16 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (70188 to 80258). 8-24-2011 rev.
–16 CAB. AIR. Eastern Air Lines, Inc., and U.S. Navy – Chesterfield, N.J., July 30, 1949.
–15 NJ.com. “The 10 deadliest aviation accidents in New Jersey history.” 8-27-2017. [16 deaths]

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat….72887 collided with Eastern Airlines DC-3-201D N19963 c/n 2260 near Chesterfield, NJ Jul 30, 1949. 16 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (70188 to 80258). 8-24-2011 rev.)

Civil Aeronautics Board: “Eastern Air Lines Flight 557, a DC-3…and a U. S. Navy Grumman Hellcat single seat fighter Model F-6-F-5, No 72887, collided at an altitude of about 2,000 feet in the vicinity of Chesterfield, N J, at about 1030, 1 July 30, 1949. All 15 occupants of the DC-3 and the pilot of the F-6-F-5 were killed and both aircraft were destroyed….

“The DC-3 was on a regularly scheduled flight en route from LaGuardia Field, N Y., to Wilmington, Del., having originated at Boston, Mass., with Memphis, Tenn., as the destination. Takeoff from LaGuardia was at 1000, with 12 revenue passengers….

“The F-6-F-5 was en route from the Naval Air Station Anacostia, D. C., to the Naval Air Station, Quonset Point R. I., on a training, or proficiency flight. Takeoff from Anacostia was at 0937….

“At about 1030 the F-6-F-5 was observed to perform acrobatics and to “buzz” a small civil aircraft in the neighborhood of Chesterfield, N. J. These maneuvers terminated in collision between the F-6-F-5 and the DC-3.

“Upon collision the fighter plane lost its left wing and the DC-3 lost the outer portion of its left wing. Both aircraft then fell in erratic paths, losing various parts while falling. The DC-3 burned when it struck the ground. The fighter’s pilot was either seriously injured or killed at the time of the collision and was thrown clear of the aircraft during the descent. There was no indication that he attempted to use his parachute. The fighter did not burn on impact.

“Investigation disclosed that collision occurred at an approximate altitude of 2,000 feet (MSL) over a point about 1 1/6 miles distant…from the center of Chesterfield, N. J….

“The small civil aircraft that was “buzzed” by the Navy fighter in the vicinity of Chesterfield, N. J., was a Piper Super Cruiser, being flown in an easterly direction and at an altitude of about 1,000 feet by its owner, a private pilot. He reported that while he was in level flight, the fighter passed an estimated 100 feet directly in front of him and headed vertically upwards. His aircraft was momentarily put out of control by the fighter’s wash. He then lost sight of the fighter as it passed up and in back of him. A few seconds later he saw it again starting up from below and to his rear. It continued up again passing in front of the Piper, although not as close as previously. This maneuver, described by the Piper pilot as a chandelle, continued until he saw the fighter and a DC-3 collide at an estimated 700 or 1,000 feet above him. According to the testimony of the Piper pilot and ground witnesses, neither the DC-3 nor the F-6-F-5 made any evasive maneuver, and it may be concluded that neither pilot saw the other aircraft in time to avert a collision….

“…Civil Air Regulations forbid that any aircraft be flown in such proximity to other aircraft as to create a collision hazard. Also, the Civil Air Regulations forbid any acrobatic flight on any airway at any altitude. The Air Traffic Rules of the Civil Air Regulations apply to all aircraft, both civil and military….

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the reckless conduct of the Navy pilot in performing acrobatic maneuvers on a Civil Airway and his failure to notice the presence of an air carrier aircraft with which he collided.” (Civil Aeronautics Board, Eastern Air Lines, Inc., and U.S. Navy – Chesterfield, N.J., July 30, 1949.)

NJ.com. “The 10 deadliest aviation accidents in New Jersey history.” 8-27-2017:
“No. 9. Eastern Air Lines
“Date: July 30, 1949
“Location: Chesterfield, NJ
“Fatalities: 15 [on the Eastern Air Lines plane]

“A small Navy plane conducting aerobatic exercises on a civil airway rammed into an Eastern Airlines commercial plane flying south out of La Guardia Airport. The Navy pilot was ultimately blamed for the crash that killed 15 passengers and crew members, including himself. Eastern Airlines dissolved in 1991….”

Sources

Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. Eastern Airlines Flight 557, 30 Jul 1949. Accessed 2/9/2009 at: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19490730-0

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (70188 to 80258). Aug 24, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries8.html

Civil Aeronautics Board. Accident Investigation Board. Eastern Air Lines, Inc., and U.S. Navy – Chesterfield, N.J., July 30, 1949. Washington, DC: December 1, 1949, 5 pages. Accessed 8-20-2023 at: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/33372

NJ.com. “The 10 deadliest aviation accidents in New Jersey history.” 8-27-2017. Accessed 8-20-2023 at: https://www.nj.com/news/2017/08/the_10_deadliest_air_accidents_in_new_jersey_histo.html