The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1920-03-12
AVIATOR FALLS
5 MILES, LIVES
Major R. w. Schroeder Estab-
fishes New High Record
of 36,O2O Feet.
MADE NUMB BY THE COLD.
Streak in Sky Made by Exhaust Mis-
taken for Comet-Riqhts Plane at
1000 Feet-Instruments Record
81 Degrees Below Zero.

Dayton, O-An airplane carrying
Major r. w. Schroeder, chief test
pilot at McCook Field, fell more than
five miles after reaching an altitude
of 36,O2O feet, about 5000 feet higher
than the previous worlds record. The
major is in a hospital suffering from
the shock and from temporary partial
blindness.
Instruments on the machine indicate
that it fell more than five miles in two
minutes. While still 1000 feet above
the ground the airplane righted itself
and glided to a graceful landing.
When the plane reached the ground
attendants who rushed toward it found
Major Schroeder sitting erect in the
machine, apparently lifeless.
For brief time residents of Dayton
were sure a comet had appeared in
the sky. They lad mistaken the trail
of vapor escaping from the machine
as it sped downward for a stranger
in the heavens"
The exhaust gas from the airplane,
freezing in the frigid temperature,
caused a cloudlike formation, resem-
bling the tail of comet, to hang below
the clouds. Inasmuch as the airplane
was not visible, speculation varied as
to what it was Some witnesses were
inclined to the belief that a strange
body was coming with message from
Mars. Professor William Beck, as
tronomer at st. Mary's College, max
ing observations through a telescope,
discerned the airplane.
Gradually the object was enlarged
as it hurtled to the earth. When but
a few thousand feet above them those
watching saw that it was an airplane
turning in a tall spin. 1t was at this
point that Major Schroeder regained
control of his plane and headed it to-
ward McCook Field.
Here Major Schroeder made a safe
landing and collapsed.
He was blinded and his limbs were
numb, despite his electrically heated
suit. He was suffering from the effects
of a lack of oxygen. When nearly
seven miles above the earth his oxygen
tanks became exhausted, land it was
this which robbed him of consciousness
and caused him to fall.
Mechanics and officers at McCook
Field lifted Major Schroeder from the
plane and he was given first aid treat
ment, and later removed to the post
hospital, where it was said his blind
ness will be only temporary. But ii
will be several days before he will be
able to use his eyes, according to DR.
Howard V. Dutrow, an eye specialist
called into consultation.
Between periods of unconsciouSneSs
Major r. w. Schroeder told the story
of his fight against wind, cold and
lack of oxygen almost seven miles
above the earth That he had shatter
ed the worlds altitude record, fallen
more than five miles and narrowly
escaped death did not seem important
to him in view of his failure to reach
height of 10000 feet, the goal he
set for himself when he took the all
Relating his battle for life far above
the clouds, Major Schroeder, lying or
a cot in the army post hospital, said
I was thinking of nothing but that
l wanted to attain a height of 10000
feet, when suddenly the oxygen stop
ped flowing. Then, all at once, il
seemed as though a terrible explosion
took place within my head. My eyes
hurt and I could not open them.
realized 1 was falling.
1 guess I pulled hard on the stick
for knew must straighten out for g
glide. The plane seemed to ride easy
I opened my eyes, but could see moth
ing of the ground. 1 closed my eyes
tightly and again opened them, seeing
that I was over Wilbur Wright Field
close to the hangers. 1 couldn't land
there.