USMC Reserve Accident San Diego Oct 21 1930

[paulmcmillan]

From

The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California · Page 23 ( I have added full names, ranks and unit


SAN DIEGO. Oct. 21. 2nd Lieut. Charles Rob Neale, 25, of Shawnee, Okla., United States marine corps Reserve flyer, Naval Aviator, was killed late today when his parachute caught in the wings of his burning marine corps plane as it plunged to earth near two miles south of El Cajon. 2nd Lieut Joseph Peter Adams, pilot (United States marine corps Reserve flyer of Seattle), made a safe parachute jump. Adams said he was trying to find a place for a emergency landing after discovering oil pressure had dropped to zero, but that the plane caught fire before he could land. The two officers were making a reconnaissance training flight

2nd Lieut. Charles Rob Neale Born 1902, who was Married is buried Fairview Cemetery Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma


Joseph Peter Adams had a second bail out


September 13, 1937
Chester Times
PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., Sept 12 1937. man was killed and another saved when a Marine Corps Reserve scouting plane caught fire and exploded in mid-air during manoeuvres over Puget Sound, off here yesterday. Technical Sergeant John F. Billsborrow *, of Seattle, "bailed out" when the plane burst into flames, but he struck the plane's tail and hit the water without his parachute opening. He was killed. Captain Joseph P. Adams, also of Seattle, successfully bailed out shortly before the plane exploded

Capt Joseph P. Adams was , commander of Scout Squadron No. 9

Possible John Francis Billsborrow Jr

I think this second incident was 370912 Grumman Model G-6 SF-1 A-9471 WA

Can anyone confirm all the details above. The aircraft Neale and Adams
were involved and the later incident


Thanks Paul

[twocee]

Evening Paul,

The first accident involved Curtiss OC-2, A-7959, of the West Coast Expeditionary Force, San Diego. The engine caught fire after oil pressure had been lost.

As you suggest, the aircraft in the second accident was SF-1, 9471, assigned to NRAB Seattle. It did not explode in mid-air, but crashed into the sea 2mi off Port Townsend Light. The rsm's parachute did open but it is believed that he struck the tail on the way out, probably as a result of him opening the 'chute before he had cleared the aircraft.

[paulmcmillan]

George

Thanks

Paul