[paulmcmillan]

I have the following report


"On July 19th 1926: Flight Lieut. Edward Coyle Ewen (#57030), of the Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Florida., was saved from death by his parachute when he leaped from his Curtiss Hawk plane, after its tail controls had been carried away in a collision with a plane piloted by Lieut . Thomas Jackson McQuade #14359, of the U.S. Marine Corps. The planes were flying in formation manoeuvres. Lieut. Ewen landed safely a half mile from where his plane crashed in the Frisco Railway yards. Lieut. McQuade's plane was not damaged, and he landed safely at Corry Field. "

Can anyone please confirm the date of the collision and provides details of the planes and serials involved


I have also seen him quote the circumstances of his escape

"We were over Pensacola naval air station. The planes were flying in formation at the time of the collision. I thought for a time I was not going to get out. I could feel the pressure of the wind increasing rapidly. I finally released my foot and got hold of the ring in my 'chute before I turned loose with my hands. I merely turned loose and fell over the right side of the fuselage. I saw the rudder flash over my head, then I gave the rip cord a good hearty jerk and threw it about 10 miles away."

Edward Coyle Ewen was designated Naval Aviator #3160 in 1924 and later Lt Comdr on CVL22 Independence March 1945 and ended up an Admiral (DoB May 26, 1897 DoD Aug. 13, 1959). He is buried at Arlington


Thomas Jackson McQuade, of the U.S. Marine Corps was later Lt-Col. DoB Oct. 18, 1902 DoD Jan. 14, 1955 he is also buried at Arlington

Many Thanks

Paul McMillan