Aviation Archaeology in Maine

UPDATED 11/11/12

Aerial photo of the crash site of B-52D 55-0093 on July 29, 1958 at the Harry Moore Farm, Noyes Road, Limestone. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled dive after a simulated missed approach at Loring AFB due to an elevator trim excursion. One crew member ejected successfully. 8 others dies in the crash.

Between 1919 and 1989, there were 741 military aircraft involved in accidents in the State of Maine. There have been 245 American, Canadian and British Commonwealth aircrew that lost their lives in Maine forests, fields, and waters. Several hundred more were injured.



A small group of New England amateur Aviation Archaeologists,, affectionately known to our peers as wreckchasers , are working to preserve these stories for future generations.



This involves collecting written and photographic records of the incidents, interviewing witnesses, and working with landowners to preserve historic crash sites. Modern logging practices have made many remotes sites accessible and souveneir hunters have taken their toll on them.



Visiting the crash site, for us, is just an important part of recording and telling the story.



History that is forgotten is not history at all. We find that many incidents have been largely forgotten by traditional historians and local historical societies. Our hope is to increase awareness of the stories of the men who died training, ferrying, and defending in the skies over our state...



Pete Noddin

Kip Keener at the site of his fathers's 1944 crash near the Church Road in Bangor during the fall of 2008. Helping family members get answers and visit their loved ones' crash sites has become a common and rewarding part of what we do. 2Lt Albert Keener and 1Lt Jack Williams were killed in the crash of A-26B 41-39247 on September 17, 1944. The plane suffered double engine failure just after take off due to problems with the bomb bay mounted ferry fuel tank, which lead to air lock in the fuel lines.

In September 2009, a Forester working south of Millinocket found this unopened parachute and bones. This caused a lot of concern until the Medical Examiner confirmed the bones were from a moose and unrelated to the chute. We were able to assist authorities in identifying the chute as one of 5 jettisoned from C-45G 51-11680 which crashed in Millinocket on December 20, 1956 during a failed attempt at emergency landing after losing a prop. Still out there, undiscovered, are 4 more chutes, a prop, and numerous aircraft parts thrown out of the aircraft between Medford and Millinocket. The parachute is now part of the collection at the Maine Air Museum.

ME AT THE "OFFICE"

IN MEMORY OF JIM CHICHETTO

( Click on photo )