Avenger crash off Gothenburg, Sweden 1947

[Jan]

Hi,

My name's Jan, a Swedish aviation historian. Although I regularly check out the various threads on WIX, I've rarely posted before.

During late June and early July 1947, the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CV33) made an official visit to Sweden. Before entering Gothenburg harbour, several aircraft flew off to make a formation flight over the city. When landing back on the carrier, one aircraft, said to be an Avenger, went over the side, with the pilot being killed. Apparently, neither pilot nor Avenger were ever recovered.

Which squadrons, and types of aircraft, operated from USS Kearsarge at this time?

Also, does anyone know more on this loss, i.e. name of pilot and Bu No. for the Avenger?

I haven't asked the Naval Historical Center yet, just thought I'd see if anyone have more specific information on this incident.

Regards,

Jan

[Robbie Stuart]

From www.//navysite.de/cv/cv33deploy.htm



Deployments of USS KEARSARGE:

Note:
During deployments a VRC (Fleet Tactical Support Squadron) detachment provides carrier-on-board delivery and is embarked aboard the carrier but is no real part of the Air Wing. These detachments are not listed below.

Date of Departure Date of Return CVW Squadrons (Aircraft) Tail code Area of Operations Battle Group Operations/Exercises Ports of Call
June 7, 1947 August 11, 1947 CVAG-3 VF-3A (F8F-1)
VF-4A (F8F-1)
VA-3A (SB2C-5)
VA-4A (TBM-3E/3Q/3J) K Northern Atlantic
June 1, 1948 October 2, 1948 CVG-3 VF-31 (F8F-1)
VF-32 (F8F-1)
VA-34 (SB2C-5)
VA-35 (TBM-3E/3J/3W) K Mediterranean
August 11, 1952 March 17, 1953 CVG-101 VF-11 (F2H-2)
VF-721 (F9F-2)
VF-884 (F4U-4)
VA-702 (AD-4/4L)
VC-3 Det F (F4U-5N)
VC-61 Det. F (F2H-2P)
VC-35 Det. F (AD-4N)
VC-11 Det. F (AD-4W)
HU-1 Det. F (HO3S-1) A Western Pacific, Korea
July 1, 1953 January 18, 1954 CVG-11 VF-112 (F9F-5)
VF-113 (F9F-5)
VF-114 (F9F-5)
VA-115 (AD-4NA/4B)
VC-3 Det. C (F2H-3)
VC-61 Det. C
VC-35 Det. C (AD-4N)
VC-11 Det. C (AD-4W)
HU-1 Det. C V Western Pacific
October 7, 1954 May 12, 1955 CVG-11 VF-112 (F9F-6)
VF-113 (F9F-6)
VF-114 (F9F-5)
VA-115 (AD-6)
VC-61 Det. C
VC-35 Det. C (AD-5N)
VC-11 Det. C
HU-1 Det. C V Western Pacific
October 29, 1955 May 17, 1956 CVG-5 VF-51
VF-141 (F2H-3)
VF-54 (AD-6)
VC-61 Det. B
VC-35 Det. B (AD-5N)
VC-11 Det. B (AD-5W)
HU-1 Det. B S Western Pacific
August 9, 1957 April 2, 1958 ATG-3 VF-53 (FJ-3M)
VF-194 (F2H-3)
VA-26 (F9F-8B)
VA-96 (AD-6/7)
VAH-6 Det. J (AJ-2)
VAH-16 Det. J (AJ-2)
VFP-61 Det. J
VA(AW)-35 Det. J (AD-5N)
VAW-11 Det. J (AD-5W)
HU-1 Det. J NC Western Pacific
September 4, 1959 March 18, 1960 VS-21 (S2F-1)
HS-6 (HSS-1)
VAW-11 Det. (AD-5W)
VAW-13 Det. (AD-5N) Western Pacific
March 3, 1961 September 18, 1961 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S2F)
VS-29 (S2F)
HS-6 (HSS-1)
VAW-11 Det. (AD-5W) NS Western Pacific
October 1962 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S-2)
VS-29 (S-2)
HS-6 (SH-34J)
VAW-11 Det. (EA-1E) NS
December 1962 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S-2)
VS-29 (S-2B)
HS-6
VAW-11 Det. (EA-1E) NS
June 4, 1963 December 3, 1963 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S-2B/F)
VS-29 (S-2B/F)
HS-6 (SH-3A)
VAW-11 Det. R (EA-1E)
VA-22 Det. R (A-4B)
HU-1 Det. R (UH-2A) NS Western Pacific
June 19, 1964 December 16, 1964 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S-2F)
VS-29 (S-2F)
HS-6 (SH-3A)
VAW-11 Det. R (EA-1E)
VA-153 Det. R (A-4B)
HU-1 Det. R (UH-2A) NS Western Pacific, Vietnam
June 9, 1966 December 20, 1966 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S-2E)
VS-29 (S-2E)
HS-6 (SH-3A)
VAW-11 Det. R (EA-1E) NS Western Pacific, Vietnam
August 17, 1967 April 6, 1968 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S-2E)
VS-29 (S-2E)
HS-6 (SH-3A)
VAW-111 Det. 33 (E-1B) NS Western Pacific, Vietnam
March 29, 1969 September 4, 1969 CVSG-53 VS-21 (S-2E)
VS-29 (S-2E)
HS-6 (SH-3A)
VAW-111 Det. 33 (E-1B) NS Western Pacific, Vietnam



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Hope this helps
Robbie

[Jan]

Thanks Robbie. Much appreciated!

There have been tentative attempts at locating the aircraft. Although Swedish sources indicate that the aircraft involved was an Avenger, I think it may have been a Bearcat (or possibly a Helldiver) that went over the side, i.e. single pilot and part of a squadron fly-by.

I will contact the Naval Historical Center asap in this matter.

As the pilot was killed in the incident, it would be most gratifying in finding any of his next of kin.

Regards,

Jan

[TimAPNY]

Jan,

As for send stuff off to the Naval History Center be advise that most of the staff have been cut and the records you are looking for have been transfrered to another branch.

Cheers
RER

Is there a story to this Rob? Or is it better not to go there?

Tim

[Jan]

Col. Rohr,

Check your e-mail. I'll have more specific details on the crash, including the date, later today, or possibly tomorrow.

Cheers,

Jan

[Jan]

I've checked one of the local newspapers yesterday for more details on the accident, and found this;

Göteborgs-Posten, Tuesday 2 July 1947, p 1.

"Prior to the arrival in Gothenburg of the two american aircraft carriers USS Randolph and USS Kearsarge, several aircraft were launched. When a squadron of light bombers were landing back on the carriers, one aircraft landed too far forward on the deck, and when the pilot applied the brakes, the aircraft went over the side. All efforts to rescue the pilot were in vain. Out of respect for the pilot's family and relatives, the americans refused to release the name of the pilot. No further details on the crash have been released. The crew of the carriers were asked not to discuss the crash."

So, it would appear that the crash occured on 1 July, with 30 June being an alternative. Neither the date of the crash nor the type of aircraft involved was mentioned in the article. Incidentally, both carriers anchored at Rivöfjorden on 1 July around 1130 AM.

Although there were several articles published in the newspaper about the US Navy port of call, the few lines quoted above is the only information on the crash.

Anything that can add to this from US sources would be most appreciated!

Regards,

Jan