Small WWII-era plane crashes in Hudson River; body recovered

[rooster59]

Small WWII-era plane crashes in Hudson River; body recovered

MICHAEL BALSAMO, Associated Press


NEW YORK (AP) — A small World War II vintage plane taking part in celebrations of its 75th anniversary flew a partial loop while smoke spewed from it and then crashed in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey on Friday, and divers recovered a body from its sunken wreckage, police and witnesses said.

The single-seat plane, a P-47 Thunderbolt, crashed on a part of the river near where a US Airways commercial jet carrying 155 people splash-landed safely in 2009 in what became known as the Miracle on the Hudson.

A witness to the P-47 Thunderbolt crash, Hunter College student Siqi Li, saw smoke spewing from the plane and thought it was doing a trick.

"It made kind of a U-turn, and then there was a stream of smoke coming from it," Li told the Daily News. "It was tilting down toward the water. I thought they were doing some sort of trick. I didn't realize it at first, but it was a plane crash."

Scuba divers recovered the body of a 56-year-old man from the submerged plane about three hours later, New York Police Department Detective Michael Debonis said. Police identified the body as William Gordon, of Key West, Florida.

The body was taken back to the New York shore via police boat. Several police officers carried a stretcher to the dock.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, which went down near the George Washington Bridge around 7:30 p.m., was among three planes that had departed from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, on Long Island, just east of New York City. The other two aircraft returned to the airport and landed safely.

The American Airpower Museum is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the P-47 Thunderbolt this weekend. Museum spokesman Gary Lewi said the plane was kept at the museum and was taking part in an air show at nearby Jones Beach this weekend.

"Apparently the aircraft suffered an inflight engine failure," Lewi said. "I'm told the aircraft is at the bottom of the Hudson."

The three planes, the P-47, a P-40 and a photo plane, had been flying over the Hudson to shoot promotional material for the Jones Beach air show, Lewi said. The identity of the pilot of the plane that crashed was being withheld, he said.

North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue co-director Jeff Welz told The Jersey Journal that firefighters and the Coast Guard responded after the Friday night crash. He said the plane sank "pretty quickly."

The P47-Thunderbolts were the heaviest single-engine fighter planes used by Allied forces in World War II. They first went into service in 1942, with the 56th Fighter Group based on Long Island.

The one that crashed in the river flew periodically, including to other air shows, Lewi said.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-05-28

[Kabula]

In my opinion these old, corroded, high-powered, vintage planes are flying coffins.

Many of the parts are no longer available, so they are either obtained from plane salvage yards or reproduced by machine with similar specifications, but seldom exact as they were from the original manufacturer.

And most of the pilots are aged as well with slow reflexes.

I question if routine maintenance is done as often as it should be on these old planes with the non availability of parts.

[sgtsabai]

RIP pilot. The few left are working historical aircraft. Let us all hope they continue flying.

[Tonawatchee]

During WW2, the P-47 was the heaviest and largest single engine fighter in the US Army Air Force.

[impulse]

During WW2, the P-47 was the heaviest and largest single engine fighter in the US Army Air Force.

It may be a single seater, but it's tough to call it "small" and keep a straight face.

[Norvid]

[Scott]

Inflammatory post and replies removed. Please stay on topic and refrain from personal remarks. Continuing to do so will result in suspensions.

[NumbNut]

During WW2, the P-47 was the heaviest and largest single engine fighter in the US Army Air Force.

Yeah, with a big-arse 'hemi' engine too, one of the first built I believe. Amazing machine!

[billd766]

In my opinion these old, corroded, high-powered, vintage planes are flying coffins.

Many of the parts are no longer available, so they are either obtained from plane salvage yards or reproduced by machine with similar specifications, but seldom exact as they were from the original manufacturer.

And most of the pilots are aged as well with slow reflexes.

I question if routine maintenance is done as often as it should be on these old planes with the non availability of parts.

Well as you say that is your opinion.

One incidentally that is not shared by many thousands of people all over the world.

Every one if it is to be flown is checked every single year to far higher standards than the average car. These aircraft are rebuilt and repaired to a higher standard than most second and third world airlines and a far more expensive to maintain than the average family car.

I do agree with you that many of the pilots are older but when was the last time you went for a full medical to be allowed to drive your car anywhere? Pilots have to pass a full physical every year to keep their licence, cars drivers don't.

How many people use non standard parts on their car? Millions. It is not so easy to do so on a vintage aircraft simply because there is not enough demand for it. If you buy new parts then they have to be manufactured and that isn't cheap.

[soc]

We could have done with a few of these superb aircraft in Malaya in 1942.

lnstead of the junk that we had.

[thaihome]

We could have done with a few of these superb aircraft in Malaya in 1942.

lnstead of the junk that we had.

Malaya and Singapore were lost before thie P-47 was in combat. ..

They did provide close air support later in retaking Burma.

TH

Edited May 29, 2016 by thaihome

[soc]

We could have done with a few of these superb aircraft in Malaya in 1942.

lnstead of the junk that we had.

Malaya and Singapore were lost before thie P-47 was in combat. ..

They did provide close air support later in retaking Burma.

TH

l know that re 1942, l was just thinking how to rearrange history! lol.

Didn't know that they were in Burma though.

My neighbour across the street, who died not long ago, was a 14th Army veteran. Had many great conversations with him. RIP.