The New York herald., 1921-05-30
Bic Ambulance Craft
Crashes on Trip From
Langley Field, Va, to
Washington.
2 OTHER PLANES FALL
Lieut.. Col. Archie Miller,
Maurice Connolly and A. &.
Batchelder Are Among
the Dead.
VICTIMS FOUND STRAPPED
Machine Piloted by Lieut..
Ames. American Ace-The
Tragic News Held Up by
Scared Folk.
VICTIMS FOUND STRAPPED

Scared Folk.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington ID. c., May 20.
An electrical storm drove a gi-
gantic army ambulance airplane to
the ground near Indian Head, Md,
last night just before dark, causing
the death of seven persons--four
army officers. one non commits
stoned officer and two nationally
prominent civilians.
News of the wreck did not reach
the public until to-day, due to the
isolated scene of the misadventure.
corded in the history of military avi-
alton.
List of the Dead.
Those killed were:
Lieut..CoL ARCHIE MILLER. U.
S. A, winner Of a Congressional
Medal Of Honor and recently in
charge of the aircraft forces along
the Mexican border
MAURICE CONNOLLY, one time
Member of Congress from Dubuque.
Iowa, a Lieutenant-C Colonel in the
Air Service Reserve Corps and
Washington representative OF the
Curtiss Company
| A. G. BATCHELDER of Wash
ington. chairman OF the executive
board OF the American Automobile
Association.
Lieut.. STANLEY NJ. AMES, an
American ace. one OF the best pilots
ia the military service, stationed at
Boiling Field.
First Lieut.. CLEVELAND w. Nc
DERMOTT. an army aviator, regu-
larly attached to Kelly Field. Texas.
but detailed temporarily to Langley
Field for the coming bombing tests.
First Lieut.. JOHN w. PENNH-
WILL, an army aviator, also at
tached regularly to Kelly Field. but
on temporary detail to Langley Field
on the bombing tests.
Sergeant Mechanic RICHARD
BLUMENkRANZ, Washington, D. G.
Round for Boiling Field.
The airplane was on its way from
Langley Field. near Hampton, to
Washington, and intended to land at
Boiling Field on the outskirts Of the
city. This is an air distance of 135
miles.
The bodies of the victims of the
crash were brought to Washington
this afternoon and taken to Walter
Reed Army Hospital for preparation
for burial. They we're in such a con.
ditior that Identification was pos.
sible only through personal effects.
There were FIVE planes in the air
at the time on their way from Lang.
ley Field to Washington. OF the
four others only two got through
safely. one other being crashed with
broken nose for the pilot and the
other driven down to the landing
field at Quantico. Va. Brig.-Gen.
William Mitchell. assistant director
of the Army Air Service. safely
piloted one Of the airplanes. but had
terrific battle with the storm.
The plane In which the seven were
occupants was large Curtiss-Eagle
ambulance type. The real story Of
what happened only can be guessed.
where Accident Occurred.
The scene OF the accident was near
the village OF Morgantown. Md, on
the Potomac River, about forty miles
south of Washington. 1t Is in the
general vicinity Of Indian Head. Md.
which is the location OF the naval
proving grounds.
The Eagle plane and the others
we're on their way from a display and
review Of aircraft at Langley Field,
where there recently has been con.
centration Of aircraft in preparation
for the bombing tests which are to
be held at Hampton Roads in June TO
determine the value OF aircraft In
future warfare. particularly In the
bombing OF battleships.
The ambulance plane carrying the
seven left Washington early yestor.
day morning. making a successful
flight tn Langley Field During the
day there was much flying. in which
all participated. even the civilians
going up for the bombing tests.
There we're as many as eighty planes
up az one time without mishap