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Corsair at full power on takeoff roll struck a Grumman Bearcat standing on the runway

July 29, 1999 - Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (USA) – A Corsair at full power on takeoff roll struck a Grumman Bearcat standing on the runway and burst into flames. A second Corsair, on takeoff roll in formation with the first one, sustained substantial damage when the pilot saw a second Grumman Bearcat positioned on the runway in front of his plane, and elected to steer his airplane off of the runway to avoid the other airplane.
The pilot of the first Corsair was seriously injured. The pilot of the Grumman Bearcat reported no injuries. The pilot of the second Corsair received minor injuries.

Comments

Brad
Illinois
My Dad and I were standing right on the edge of the cordoned off area (by the rope) when this happened and the Bearcat was right in front of us. The entire scene is burned into my memory...something I'll NEVER forget. Good story though.
9th January, 2010
John
Fargo (Usa)
This is a tragedy I do not mock it however I cannot fail to see the parallel -- Texans on the runway -- Texan in the Whitehouse -- both end in crash?!
3rd April, 2009
DOC
Harlingen (Texas)
THe Airboss Cleared the Corsairs to roll on take off, the Bearcats were in front of the F-4U's. It was a tragic accident, and the loss of the Corsair was a loss that will never be replaced. His wife is also a pilot, I knew both.
8th April, 2008
John Youngs
Tacoma Wa (Usa)
The reason for such huge explosions and fireballs when F4U Corsairs crash is because the fuel tank (240 gallons) is carried between the engine and the cockpit. There's no internal fuel tankage in the wings on this type of plane.
24th March, 2008
jesse
Middletown (Us)
I was at the airshow as well and I don't find it funny and I don't think the guy that got paralyzed from the chest down finds it funny either. It was the only plane crash I've ever seen and it was horrible.
18th July, 2007
joe
New York (Usa)
I Was at The Air Show And It Was Funny Then I Stuck Ma Pubic Hair On The Plane Haha
27th June, 2007
ALI
Amman (Jordan)
HOW ON EARTH HE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER AIRCRAFT ON THE RUNWAY.
9th May, 2007
Craig
Kansas City (Usa)
I was there, near the tower when it happened
4th May, 2007
Ty
Minneapolis (Usa)
I was at this show and watched it happen, was anyone else?
23rd January, 2007
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