Wiley Post, the first pilot to fly solo around the world, and Will Rogers, motion picture actor, were killed at 8:18 o’clock Thursday evening, Alaska time.
The plane crashed 15 miles south of Point Barrow as Post was taking off from a native village, where he had been forced down by engine trouble in the dense fog.
The motor was repaired and pilot and passenger ate dinner with Eskimos.
The motor failed again on the take-off, the big low-wing monoplane falling to the ground from a height of 50 feet and crashing upon the tundra edge of the river.
The right wing was broken and the engine was driven back into the cabin. The cabin back looped upon its back.
Post’s body was crushed by the motor. Rogers was thrown out of the plane. Both apparently died instantly.
Post’s body was found under water, and his watch stopped at 8:18. The watch on Roger’s body was still running.
The terrified natives notified Sergeant Stanley Morgan of the U.S. Signal Corps.
Gasoline, spewed on the water, caught fire, flaming briskly for a few minutes.
This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment