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| USN USS Enterprise (CV-6) VT-3 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Robert E. Smith, USNR (survived) Radio AAM3c Fred F. Adair, Jr. USN (survived) Gunner Sea1c Norman K. Antot, USNR (survived) Crashed October 11, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as model G-40. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TBF-1 Avenger bureau number 00509. Wartime History Assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) to Torpedo Squadrons 3 (VT-3). Side Number unknown, likely T-?? (two digits). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On October 11, 1942 took off piloted by Lt(jg) Robert E. Smith on a training flight. During join up at 1,500' a midair collision happened when TBF Avenger 00590 pulled up in front of TBF Avenger 00514 when the empennage was damaged by the propeller and TBF Avenger 00590 went into a steep wing-over and the top of the tail fell off then went out of control and again struck this plane causing the empennage to break off. Out of control, the plane struck this plane then crashed into the sea roughly three miles northeast of Makapu‘u Point (Makapu) on the eastern tip of Oahu. Although damaged, this Avenger was able to maintain control and reached Kaneohe Bay but deemed the plane was unstable to attempt a landing and ordered everyone to bail out. With no one aboard, the damaged Avenger crashed into Kaneohe Bay. Rescue The entire crew were rescued. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBF-1 Avenger 00509 "00509 (VT-3) midair with 00514 and 00590 3 mi NE of Makapu Pt, HI 10/11/1942. 3 bailed out." Accident Report - Robert E. Smith NARA Torpedo Squadron 3 (VT-3) War History page 4 "October 1942 Mid-air collision claimed six (6) lives." Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory Archive - AIR-20: Avenger (BuNo 00514) mentions this plane Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated May 9, 2025 |
 Avenger |
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