One of the jewels in CAF's amazing collection of aeronautical treasures has had a landing accident after a weather diversion.

CAF's statement on the incident, just issued, is included below...

A Commemorative Air Force (CAF) operated single-engine World War II Bell P-39Q Airacobra, N6968 (first photo below, by Bill Crump) was involved in an incident Monday, April 18, 2005, at the Fredericksburg Airport in Fredericksburg, Texas. The aircraft, which was being flown by a CAF pilot, was en route to San Marcos, Texas, from Holloman Air Force Base via a fuel stop in Midland, Texas, at CAF Headquarters.

After leaving Midland International Airport, weather deteriorated en route and the pilot diverted to Fredericksburg. Upon landing the airplane left the runway and rolled into a fence resulting in minor damage to the prop and leading edge of a wing. The P-39 has been secured in a hangar.

The airplane is assigned to the Central Texas Wing of the CAF, which is based in San Marcos, Texas. The smallest fighter of the war, the P-39 was the first to be built with a tricycle landing gear. The CAF acquired the P-39 in 1974. For many years the airplane was flown with Russian markings, however it currently appears in the markings and colors of the 350th Fighter Group, which consisted of the 345th, 346th and 347th Fighter Squadrons that flew in North Africa and Italy.

The CAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Midland, Texas, the organization has over 9,500 members and operates a fleet of over 150 World War II aircraft.

Initial FAA Accident Report

** Report created 4/20/2005 Record 6 **
IDENTIFICATION
 Regis#: 6968 Make/Model: P39 Description: P-39 Airacobra
 Date: 04/18/2005 Time:
 Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
 Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
 City: FREDERICKSBURG State: TX Country: US

DESCRIPTION
 ACFT RAN OFF THE RWY AND HIT A FENCE. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND NO INJURIES IS REPORTED. OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNKNOWN. FREDERICKSBURG, TX

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
 # Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
 # Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
 # Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: NOT REPORTED
OTHER DATA
 Activity: Pleasure Phase: Unknown Operation: General Aviation
 Departed: MIDLAND, TX MAF Dep Date: 04/18/2005 Dep. Time:
 Destination: SAN MARCOS, TX HYI Flt Plan: NONE Wx Briefing: Y
 Last Radio Cont: UNKN  Last Clearance: NONE
 FAA FSDO: SAN ANTONIO, TX (SW17) Entry date: 04/20/2005

FMI: www.commemorativeairforce.org