New Britain herald., 1922-11-13
ARMY AVIATOR IS
 KILLED IN CRASH
Hartford Meet Ends in Terrible
 Trasedy-AccidentS Elsewhere

Hartford, Nov la.--Lieutenant John Blaney, of the army air service, stationed at Mitchell Field, Long Island, was killed yesterday afternoon during three-day air meet here in celebration of Armistice Day.
 Blaney was the sole occupant of n De Haviland-4 entered in the twenty i've mile relay race and was making a cross-wind landing, coming from the south, with q brisk breeze from the northwest across his course, when his left wing tip fouled the top branches of tree at the south end of Brainard Field, the municipal landing station.
 The airplane slipped and fell The Impact cracked the gasoline tank, and before men who had began to rush to- ward the spot as soon as the wing tip brushed the tree top could reach the plane it was wrapped in flames. Blaney's body was partly consumed before 1t could be dragged from the wreck.
 Struck Air-Pocket
 It is believed that as he reached the level of the tree-tops he slid into an air-pocket caused by cross-currents which caused his wing to drop just enough to foul the branches.
 Blaney's airplane was equipped with a Liberty motor and was capable of great speed. He was travelling fast, probably 116 miles an hour, at the low altitude usual to relay race, and close observers says he was watching a net e1tlrnlvy mt Af tIa inI,& e,;I of the cockpit. Apparently he saw and easily cleared a tree on his right side but failed to notice a taller tree on the left, his attention being concentrated on the relay race.
 His flying partner, Lieutenant Val entine, was waiting to take off and fin ish the race as soon as the wheels of Blaney's. plane touched the ground. The race was never finished, for Val entine cut off his motor and ran to aid Blaney.
 Although the pilots body was burned beyond recognition, it was said here last night that Blaney's death was instantaneous as a result of the terrific crash when the speeding plane was brought up short by the tree and turned over on the ground. Blaney leaves wife, a native of California. who is now at Mitchell Field The body | will probably be buried at the Nation- Il cemetery at Arlington.
 Victim Was Texan
 Blaney was thirty years old. His | nome was in Texas. He had been a | pilot for five years and until recently | vas stationed in the Philippines. He | vas one of the most popular pilots at he meet and was the winner of a bombing contest which took place 
 Major Junius Jones, of Mitchell Field, Is conducting an inquiry to de- ermine the cause of the accident.
 Forty other pilots at the meet con- inued to engage in contests and take ID passengers for three hours after he accident.
 Word of Lieutenant Blaney's death brought gloom to Mitchell Field yes- erday afternoon. His bride of ten months was almost prostrated with ,rief, and Major Weaver, the com nandant, was visibly affected when he pened the telegram reporting the oung aviator's death. Many officers [ the post had served overseas or in he Philippines with the dead lieuten- nt.
 Considered Expert Flyer Lieutenant Blaney was among the . rst to enroll for the aviation training amps after this country entered the ,ar. He received his commission in 917 Since then he has served both l the Philippines and in Germany. [e was placed in charge of the 5th observation Squadron when he was 'ansferred to Mitchell Field last , [arch and was generally considered ne of the best flyers at the post. Off, cers there expressed themselves yes- .rday as unable to understand the ac- { dent in which he was killed. s
 Another F7ier Hurt E
 A