Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-05-30

? Lieutenant Colonel Archie Miller, U.
S. A.. Washington, D. C.
Maurice Connolly, Of Dubuque, Iowa,
former member Of the house Of repre-
sentatives.
A. G. BatcheIder, Of Washington, D.
c., chairman of the hoard Of the Amer
ican Automobile association.
Lieutenant Stanley NJ. Ames, Of
Washington. pilot Of the wrecked plane.
Lieutenant Cleveland w. McDermott
Langley field, virginia.
Lieutenant John NJ. PenneWiti, la00-
ley field, Virginia.
Sergeant Mechanic Richard Blumen-
kranz, Washington. D. c.
Army officers said the accident was
the worst in the history of aviation in
the United States, either military or
civil. and that it was one of the few
in which all of the passengers in q
falling plane had been killed almost
instantly.
Crushed by the Motor.
The ship struck the ground nose first
and the force Of the impact was so
great that the big 600 horsepower Lib
erty motor in the front end of the craft
was torn from its chassis and. thrown
back into the cockpit on top Of the
pilot and the passengers All of the
bodies were badly mutilated
The Curriss-Eagle was returning from
a trip to Langley field near Newport
News, Va. and had just crossed tbs.
Potomac river when it ran INTO the
storm which had passed over Washing
ton an hour before. The exact cause
of the accident probably never will be
known. as those in the machine were
dead when witnesses from Morgan
town. little village near Indian Head
reached the scene.
Investigation Is Ordered.
An official investigation of the acci-
lent will be ordered. At that investi-
cation it is possible an inquiry will be
made into the general design and prac
.ical use by the army of such ma
chine, the only one Of its type in the
army service fitted with ambulance
equipment. Air service officers said
Sunday that when the plane left Lang
ey field it was apparently in perfect
'unning condition and had been func-
:ioning properly during several hours
n the morning and afternoon.
Unbalanced. Says Expert.
Captain DeLavergne. military at
ache of the French embassy. who made
he trip in the Eagle from Washington
aid Sunday night that in his opinion.
he Eagle was unbalanced
''The machine was badly balanced"
raptain DeLavergne said 1T had
rhe weight was too much. The pilot
ould not control it. I declined to re-
urn in it and came back by boat
0>>.~~>.-n> E.A.~> n>>AA
Representatives Campbell. of Kan
as. chairman of the house rules COM
aittee. and Walsh. of Massachusetts.
rho went to Langley field in the Eagle.
eturned to Washington by boat. Mr..
afety had not entered into their deci-
ion not to return in the Eagle.
"If the ship had been open we would
ave returned in it, said Mr.. Camp
ell. II suggested to Walsh that we
eturn by boat He was seasick and
didn't feel very steady. We had been
aore than two hours at sea in Mar
in bomber observing bombing expert
tents.
''On the way down to Langley field
he air was rough and very dumpy.
We had a wonderfully good pilot"
Ship in Good Condition.
Brigadier General Mitchell, assis.
ant chief of the army air service who
the Eagle to Langley field.
nd who had an exciting battle with
ae storm during his return flight. said
lieutenant Ames. plotting the Eagle.
as considered one of the best pilots
i the service and that his ship ap-
arently was in perfect condition.
I'VE felt no concern for his safety"
lid the general. "and when the Eagle
relied over the field couple of times
efore Strengthening out on the north
rly course for Washington, It was
inning perfectly"
Prevented from Landing.
The Eagle left Langley field at about
30 p. M. Saturday. The time Of
lie wreck Is placed at 6:25 p. m, the
,ur at which watch carried BY Mr..
onnolly was found1to have stopped.
avail officers at Indian Head who saw
le plane 60 down. declare that pilot
mes tried to bring his machine down
fore the full force of the storm
ruck, but that be was prevented from
aking landing at the first attempt
, grove Of trees. The airship
ossed over the trees safely and ap
Jared to put on power to reach IN .
ZEN field short distance away
Apparently the motor either failed
respond or the high wind checked
q ships flight for 1t was seen to
rn over and fall. nose first Il then
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