New Britain herald., 1928-10-11
COLUMBIA CRASHES
onto GOLF COURSE
Projected Nonstop Flight to
Rome Ends Abruptly
PILOTS ESCAPE INJURIES
Wheel and Wing Strut Broken ss
Ship Lunches Onto Side-Plane
Too Heavy-Dump Valve Fails to
Work.

Roosevelt Field. N. T., Oct. IL
R-The Transatlantic plane Colum-
bia crashed on the Westbury golf
course toda.. few minutes after all
taking the air on its projected flight
to Rome.
Are Not Hurt
Roger @. williams. pilot. and
Pietro Bonelli. navigator. escaped
without any injury.
One wheel Of the plane and at
least one wing strut were broken
and the ship suffered general strain.
It tipped up on one wing point but
did not turn over.
The Columbia took off at 1l:55 4.
m. with great difficulty because of
the excessive weight Of its fuel load.
1t did get in the air. however. but
was unable to gain altitude.
Struggles Low
II struggled low over that gully
between Roosevelt and Curtiss fields
where Rene Foncks plane crashed
and burned two years ago, and then
began to settle steadily to earth.
Fearing a. possible upset with
resulting fire Bonelli kicked the
dump valve to tighten ship but it had
Just been repaired for a leak and
would not work.
Williams made forced landing
on the golf link1 adjoining Curtiss
field, close beside a sand trap and
hemmed In by bunkers.
q Wheel Snaps
The plane plunged and rolled on
the soft turf and the left wheel
snapped Off
The Columbia ground looped on
the broken wheel and tipped crafty
but came to a stop without over
turning.
Williams and Bonelli climbed, out
Of the cockpit unharmed but sadly
disappointed. A cursory inspection OF
the plane left little hope of another
take-off today.
With the take-off tentatively set
for shortly after II o'clock. Levine
owner Of the plane strolled about the
field. smiling to see his famous plane
ready to try for further laurels. He
said he himself would like to cross
the ocean In her again, as he did
more than year ago with Clarence
Chamberlin. but weight was import
ant and gasoline more important
than passenger.
The Columbia had all but 200 Of
its 504 gallons OF gasoline in the
tanks at 1890 a. III. and at that time
the ship was trundled to the rum
way.
Have Food
Williams and Bonelli had procured
food for the journey from Tony Ar
gan. the flying caterer" who has
had stocked larders of several trans.
atlantic planes. The food consisted OF
IL turkey sandwiches. IL honey
sandwiches. IL strawberry jam sand.
wiches. ~ oranges. three quarts Of
coffee. four of water. four packs Of
gum four OF lemon drops and 81,
bars of chocolate.
| As time for the take-off drew
near. the weather was ideal. a warm
| SuH bHUuC anu
stiff breeze out Of the west promised
a helping hand once the plane took
the air.
| The Columbia Is one OF the most
famous planes in the country and
has long record of achievement.
1t was the second plane built In
this country by G. NJ. Bellanca. be.
ing constructed at Paterson. N. J.. In
1925. 1t toured the east for a time
and won first fame when 1t was de.
clared winner of the sesquicentennia
speed and efficiency race In 1925.
Mail Carrier
For time 1t was an air mai
carrier in the west and was ther
used as a Wright demonstrator. Ii
(COntinued on Pare EfRhtl