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8 fatalities

Navy Neptune Crash Off Block Island (124242)

Atlantic Ocean, WorldFlight

On November 20, 1952, a Lockheed P-2 Neptune (registration 124242) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Atlantic Ocean, World in flight. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the crash could not be determined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A Navy Neptune crashed into the sea off Block Island in the early morning, killing all eight crew members. The official investigation could not determine the cause of the accident.

Incident Overview and Context In the early morning, two Navy Neptune aircraft based at Quonset Point NAS were participating in an anti-submarine warfare exercise off Block Island. The exercise involved the submarine USS Piper (SS-409) and the Navy tug USS Hopi (AFT-71). Shortly after 0400LT, both aircraft rendezvoused over the Jamestown Bridge in Narragansett Bay before heading toward the operational area, located about 70 miles off Block Island. During the operation, the aircraft banked right in unknown circumstances and subsequently crashed into the sea. All eight crew members were killed. The crew consisted of Lt Noble R. Kean, Lt Thomas J. Tiernan, A3c John R. Quirk, A2c George A. Buehler, Lt Seymour A. Moyl, A1c Roland O. Eades, Sea Salvatore A. Coia, and Sea Joseph A. Gray.

Probable cause

The cause of the crash could not be determined.

Related events

Same operator

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