VP-63 Maritime Patrol Aircraft Crash into Wickford Harbor (08175)

What happened

The incident involved a VP-63 maritime patrol aircraft that was completing a mission and returning to Quonset Point Naval Air Station. During its final approach to the base, the airplane lost control and impacted the water in Wickford harbor. The collision resulted in severe structural damage, rendering the airframe beyond repair. All nine crew members aboard sustained injuries during the crash.

Findings

Investigation into the accident revealed that the pilot executed the landing approximately 120 degrees off the wind direction, despite conditions that allowed for a proper upwind approach. The aircraft was on a north-northeast heading while facing a six-to-eight knot wind from the southwest. The primary contributing factor was identified as poor pilot technique during the recovery phase of a water loop maneuver. This error led to a continued loss of control and an unintended acceleration in airspeed, caused by the pilot being thrown against the throttles. These factors combined to cause extreme damage to the aircraft upon impact with the water. Official findings confirmed that there were no material mechanical failures prior to the initial contact with the harbor.