Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-23
LEFT HERE EARLY TO-DAY.
Kept in Radio Communication Until
Shortly Before Dive.

Mai. Lutz took OF from Boiling Field
at los O'Clock this morning under con-
ditions that were characterized as per-
feet from every standpoint. Starting
at the south end of the field. he raced
the big transport along the ground and
was in the air after q remarkably short
take-off. He turned over the Navy
Yard and on coming back over the
field was at an altitude Of 1000 feet.
Then he disappeared to the south.
About Is minutes out, Corp. Reeder
casting and the operator at the Naval
Air Station here worked him" continu-
ouSly until 2 am. Then the signals
died away and 1t was thought here that
the generator burned out or some
trouble developed with the set Up to
the moment of fading away there vas
nothing in the signals to indicate
trouble aboard the plane or unusually
abnormal weather conditions
Immediately after learning of the crash
early this morning. naval aviatorS began
a study OF weather condition near Bowl
ing Green and pronounced them ''in-
different" There was nothing in the
way Of severe storm present they re-
ported.
Won Curtis Trophy Race.
Maj. Lutz was exceedingly popular
In the Marine Corps. He held the dis
tinction of being the oldest Marine
ofilcer to learn to fly. He was in his
forty-eighth year. About q month ago
he obtained much recognition for win
ming the CurtiSs Marine Trophy sea-
plane race at AnacoStia. flying his
speedy and sensitive pursuit plane az an
average speed of 1880 miles per hour
and winning out against a field OF Il
youngsters"
The major not only won the coveted
CurtiSS trophy. but was voted the Wa
ner Cup donated by Edward p Warner,
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy for
AeronauticS. for the best all-around
performance. In addition 10 this he
won gold wrist watch donated by
The Evening Star to the winner Of the
group OF planes in which ne was n
tered. Mai. LutS yesterday ruudT
displayed the watch to representa-
tive of The Star and said he would
wear 1t as long as he lived.
I've got the best Job in the Marine
Corps" Mai Lutz said yesterday while
tinkering with the engines Of the big
transport plane and making final in
Spection preparatory TO getting away.
Although I've had 10 years of tropical
duty. I'm glad I'm going down there"
He was TO have assumed command az
the Marine forces in Nicaragua, IT
lieving Mai. Ross E. Roveu.
Preferred Night Flying.
Mai. Lutz possessed unlimited coar-
age and exhibited no heSitancy toward
here at night. although on the
four other flights TO Nicaragua the
start was made around O'Clock IN the
The time Of departure Was left
entirely up 60 the pilot by the Marine
aviation authorities.
Mai. Lutz had planned to arrive st
Miami before noon today and depart
from the Florida city some time tonight
m order 10 be in Managua before the
afternoon tropical rains set In. Asked
about fiy ns at night along the Cali.
The major said yesterday afternoon;
Why, al rather fly at night than
day time. as l can check my course by
the lighthouses much easter than So
ms down low In the daytime to fin9
,ut If everything is all right" The mat
er OF leaving here during the night was
determined upon by Maj, Iutz in order
70 take advantage OF better fiylag con-
ditionS.
lie had been delayed several times IN
his departure. first by one or two slight
Ment at the factory where the plane
was built and then by the weather II
never have any luck" he said ycSsef-
1ay, "Oh. yes, I do. l have plenty Of
uck--hard hack, Why don't you give
ne some good weather 81 l can set o0s
4 here9"
Lutx Bern I'm Illinois.
Maj, Lutx was born In Shannon. M
February 10. 1891. and Was commits
,ioned q second lieutenant in the Ma
Inc Corps IN 1905, Prior To entering
he service he had served in the Illinois
Volunteers His tours OF duty
we're at Annapolis. Panama. the u, s.
l. Missouri. the Y. =, s Kentucky,
Havana and the Washington Barracks.
Continued On Page q. Column Ga