Kern County Obituaries

Hugh L. Wood

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; 21 Dec 1950

Navy Pilot Dies in Plane Crash
Lt Cmdr. Hugh L. Wood, Navy Test Pilot, was killed in the crash of the Navy's 
new Skyshark turboprop attack plane at Edwards Air Force Base Tuesday morning.
Details of the crash were not available, but it was learned that it was the first 
flight with a Navy pilot at the controls, although the plane had been undergoing 
tests since last May with Douglas test pilot George Jenson doing the flying.
The Skyshark built by Douglas Aircraft's El Segundo plant is said to be the 
deadliest carrier plane of its size in the world. It is powered by a single turboprop 
engine with two side by side turbines turning three-bladed propellers in counter 
rotation. A jet thrust through the tail pipe augments engine power. This plane was 
designed to carry an estimated three tons of 12 inch rockets, bombs and torpedoes 
and for fast close work in attacks on ships and fortifications.
The plane was built for carrier or field operation and was equipped with folding 
wings and a tail hook.