CAF FM-2 Destroyed, Pilot Lost

ANN has learned that an aircraft, first reported by various Houston media outlets as a Grumman F4F Wildcat (file photo, right), was reported down, late Saturday, after the Wings Over Houston Airshow.

The actual aircraft identification is a bit suspect as several restored Grumman variants apparently boast alternate paint schemes than those normally associated with their actual type. Although it wasn't listed as a featured performer, the aircraft was apparently involved in a post-show photo-shoot when it came to grief near Clear Lake, Texas.

Update: Information released by the Houston PD indicates that this aircraft was a "single-engine Navy Wildcat... owned by American Air Power Heritage Group, but it is flown and maintained by the Commemorative Air Force." It was registered in Midland (TX). It has also been further identified as a Grumman FM-2, built and originally delivered to the Navy in 1940. 

Due to the earliness of the report, details are sketchy, but the Wildcat was reportedly flown by a 55 year old East Coast pilot, who is reported dead at the scene, and the aircraft destroyed.

The aircraft was listed down at approximately 1800 local time, with the impact noted as having occurred in an upright attitude with the airframe well-seperated after impact. The actual aircraft identification is a bit suspect as several restored Grumman variants apparently boast alternate paint schemes than those normally associated with their actual type. Although it wasn't listed as a featured performer, the aircraft was apparently involved in a post-show photo-shoot when it came to grief near Clear Lake (TX).

Update: Information released by the Houston PD (late Saturday) indicates that this aircraft was a "single-engine Navy Wildcat manufactured in 1944, owned by American Air Power Heritage Group, but it is flown and maintained by the Commemorative Air Force." It was registered in Midland (TX).

Due to the earliness of the report, details are sketchy, but the Wildcat was reportedly flown by a 55 year old East Coast pilot, who is reported dead at the scene, and the aircraft destroyed.

The aircraft was listed down at approximately 1800 local time, with the impact noted as having occurred in an upright attitude with the airframe broke up after impact.

CAF Releases Official Statement: CAF FM-2 Wildcat Crashes Near Ellington Field In Houston

A Commemorative Air Force (CAF) operated single-engine World War II Grumman FM-2 Wildcat, N681S, crashed at approximately 6:15 p.m. (Central Daylight Savings Time) on Oct. 18, 2003, in a field near the Ellington Field airport, in Houston, Texas.

The plane was on final approach to land at Ellington Field when the accident occurred. The pilot of the airplane, a CAF member, perished in the accident and the airplane was destroyed. The name of the pilot has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The FAA is currently investigating the accident.

Based out of Franklin, VA, the airplane and its pilot had just completed a routine photo mission. The FM-2 was one of several airplanes that had been photographed as part of the mission. Although the airplane had flown earlier in Saturday's Wings Over Houston, the accident took place two hours after the airshow had ended and was not in any way related to the Wings Over Houston event.

The Wings Over Houston Airshow will continue as scheduled Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003.

The Grumman Wildcat was developed in 1937, first flown in 1939 and delivered to the Navy beginning in 1940. The Wildcat remained in combat service to the end of World War II and fought in every major naval battle in the Pacific.

The airplane involved in this accident was a General Motors-built FM-2 and was purchased by the CAF in 1961. The CAF has one other FM-2 Wildcat (N5833) in its collection. That airplane is based in Long Beach, Calif., but is currently on static display at CAF Headquarters in Midland, Texas.

The CAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Midland, Texas, the organization has over 10,000 members and operates a fleet of over 150 World War II aircraft

FMI: www.commemorativeairforce.org, www.wingsoverhouston.com