Bell P-39q – – Lake Ontario Aircraft Shipwreck (1946)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Bell P-39Q Airacobra
• Type: Aircraft
• Year Built:
• Builder: Bell Aircraft Corporation
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Lake Ontario, near Niagara Falls, NY, USA
• Coordinates: Not available
• Official Number: NX92847
• Original Owners: Skylanes Unlimited

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Bell P-39Q Airacobra was a mid-engine fighter aircraft produced during World War II by the Bell Aircraft Corporation. Known for its innovative design, the engine was positioned behind the pilot, offering better weight distribution and enabling a 37 mm cannon to be mounted in the aircraft’s nose. The P-39Q variant was equipped for ground attack and air superiority roles and was popular among Allied air forces, including the Soviet Air Force, during the war. The aircraft was also equipped with tricycle landing gear, an unusual feature for its time.

Description

The aircraft, registered as NX92847 and nicknamed “Cobra I” (#75), was owned by Skylanes Unlimited. It was a high-performance version of the P-39Q, modified for competitive racing at events such as the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio, held to display the limits of speed and precision in aviation.

History

Incident Details:

• In August 1946, the P-39Q was under preparation for the National Air Races.
• Bell Aircraft test pilot Jack Valentine Woolams, aged 29, took the aircraft on a high-speed test flight over Lake Ontario near Niagara Falls.
• During the flight, the aircraft lost control and crashed into Lake Ontario.

Fatal Outcome:

• Tragically, Woolams perished in the crash. His body was recovered from the lake four days later.
• The aircraft was irreparably damaged and declared a total loss.

Significant Incidents

Final Disposition:

The Bell P-39Q Airacobra wreckage remains submerged in Lake Ontario. The crash site has not been officially located, and no recovery efforts have been recorded. The aircraft was written off after the crash, marking the end of its brief operational history.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

• No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck.
• The site has not been identified as a navigational hazard.

Final Disposition

The wreckage of the Bell P-39Q has not been precisely located, and details about its condition and site remain undocumented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The aircraft is presumed to be in a deteriorated state after decades submerged in Lake Ontario. The wreck is not accessible to the public, and its exact position in the lake remains unknown.

Resources & Links

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The crash of the Bell P-39Q Airacobra, NX92847, is a poignant reminder of the risks associated with aviation development and competitive flight. The aircraft, originally designed for wartime missions, was repurposed for peacetime achievements in air racing. The loss of Jack Woolams and the aircraft underscores the challenges and dangers inherent in pushing the boundaries of technology and performance. The wreck remains an undocumented part of Lake Ontario’s aviation history, offering potential for exploration and commemoration of early postwar aviation efforts.