New-York tribune., 1921-05-30

down before the full force Of the storm
struck but that he was prevented from
making landing at the first attempt
hv grove of trees, The airship
crossed over the trees safely and ap-
peaTed TO put on power to reach an
open field short distance away.
Apparently the motor either failed to
respond or the high wind checked the
ships flight, for it was seen to turn
over and fall nose Arst, 1t then was
only few hundred feet in the air,
Officers at Indian Head sent a detach-
ment to the scene, but it was some time
before. they arrived and word of the
accident did not reach Boiling Field
until IL O'clock last night.
Officers at The field had been await
ing the arrival of the Eagle, but when
she failed to arrive early in the eve
ming they assumed that she either had
landed somewhere to escape the storm
or had turned back to Langley Field,
Mrs. Ames, wife of the pilot, vas wait
ing for her husband at the landing field
here, and when the report of the acci-
dent came she started for Morgantown
in her automobile, arriving after mid
night and remaining there through the
night. Lieutenant and Mrs. Ames had
been married only two months.
Bodies Taken to Capital
The bodies of the dead were taken
out of the plane by the naval detach-
ment and early to-day were started to
Washington on a navy motor truck.
Meaptime officers in charge of army
amhulances had been sent from this
city and the bodies were transferred
Hospital here. The families of the dead
have been notified and their wishes
with regard to the funerals will be
carried out.
For the trip to Langley Field from
Washington, which began yesterday
morning, the plane was stripped of its
hospital equipment and seats provided
for the passengers who were taken to
the Virginia aviation grounds to wit
ness review of the army air fleet
which is to participate in the naval
in June and July.
Suggestion that the wrecking of the
plane was caused by bolt of light
ming was secuted by Army Air Serv-'
ice officials who declared there is no
record of lightning ever having hit
plane. They said that even had bolt
struck the Curtiss-Eagle it would have
done little if any damage, as the light
ming could not have effected the ground
aug HGGSsSSiy W cause uaHldSS.
Believe Wind Twisted 1t
The theory of some officers is that
an unusually heavy blast of wind
struck the ship on one side and un-
balanced it, sending it into nose dive
from which it could not recover be-
cause of the short distance to the
ground.
In preparation for the official in
quiry, Lieutenant Paul C. Wilkin went
to the scene of the accident to-day to
take photographs Of the wreck and to
obtain from eyewitnesses and others
any possible information that might be
of use in solving what now is a mys-
terry.
Statements of naval officers at Indian
Head that the plane fell only a short
distance caused surprise to army air
service officials who examined the per-
sonal effects of the passengers which
were brought to Boiling Field to-day.
A stick of shaving soap and its nickel
plated cortainer was found mashed al
most as fat as knife. blade. A heavy
black leather hand bag was ripped and |
torn, while a straw hat which one of |
the civilians had worn was torn to
shreds.