WATCH: World War II-Era TBM Avenger Ditches Off Cocoa Beach During Airshow ‘Warbird Parade’

By  //  April 17, 2021

mechanical issues forces pilot to set down in the surf just off the beach

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Airshow fans  got more than they expected on Saturday afternoon about 1:15 p.m. when a World War II era TBM Avenger was forced to ditch off Cocoa Beach due to mechanical issues.

According to reports, no one was injured in the incident, as crews rescued the pilot who was participating in the “Warbird Parade” when the accident happened.

According to the show promoters, this TBM Avenger was restored in January.

The Avenger entered U.S. service in 1942, and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. Despite the loss of five of the six Avengers on its combat debut, it survived in service to become the most effective and widely-used torpedo bomber of World War II, sharing credit for sinking the super-battleships Yamato and Musashi and being credited for sinking 30 submarines.

Greatly modified after the war, it remained in use until the 1960s.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the will National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation of the incident.

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