1960 — Feb 11, rocket under wing explodes, USN P5M, Puget Sound ~NAS Whidbey Isl.– 9

— 9 AP. “9 Navy Airmen Killed in Crash in Puget Sound.” The Nome Nugget. 2-12-1960, p. 6.
— 9 Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, Oak Harbor, WA.

Narrative Information

Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial: “VP-50. 11 Feb 1960: LCDR R. F. Clement and his crew of eight were lost in the Puget Sound off NAS Whidbey Island during rocket firing practice when a rocket exploded under the wing of their P5M aircraft.” (Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, Oak Harbor, WA. “Historical Background.”)

Newspaper

Feb 12, AP: “Oak Harbor, Wash., (AP) – A Navy seaplane burst into flames, then plunged into Puget Sound 11 miles southwest of here yesterday, carrying nine young airmen to their deaths. Four bodies were recovered. Navy search crews continued to look for the others. Bits of wreckage, life rafts and other debris bobbed to the surface during the night. All of the debris was collected in an attempt to determine what caused the explosion and crash. The plane was on a training mission from the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.” (Associated Press. “9 Navy Airmen Killed in Crash in Puget Sound.” The Nome Nugget. 2-12-1960, p. 6.)

Sources

Associated Press. “9 Navy Airmen Killed in Crash in Puget Sound.” The Nome Nugget. 2-12-1960, p. 6. Accessed 11-28-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-nome-nugget-feb-12-1960-p-6/

Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial, Veterans Memorial Park, Oak Harbor, WA. “Historical Background.” Accessed 11-13-2011 at: http://patron2.com/files/wpsm_files/wpsm_22.html