Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-15
PILOTS near
DEATHAFTER
FIGHT IN AIR
Driver, Knocked Out,
Receivers In Time
To Pull Plane Out of
Spin and Land

PONTIAC, Mich, May 15.-(P)-The
story of a battle 1000 feet in the air
between two filters, Harry Anderson
q Roseville, Mich. pilot, and Clar-
{ Frechett Of Detroit, an aerial
sxhibitionist, which resulted in the
planes crashing and in a remarkable
escape from death by the occupants,
was under investigation today.
Both men were found seriously in
cured in the plane, which was de-
rnolished in landing on the grounds
OF the state hospital for the insane
yesterday.
Anderson told police he was attack
ed by Frechett with a hammer while
flying over Pontiac. Losing con-
seriousness after repeated blows from
h weapon, Anderson said he recov-
cred after the plane had taken a
sheer drop Of nearly $500 feet. in
time TO right il for the rough landing
that averted almost certain death
for himself and Frechett.
See Suicide Plot
Anderson's skull was fractured and
he was painfully injured about the
face, most of his teeth having been
Knocked out, supposedly BY blows
from the hammer. Frechett was less
seriously injured but required hos
pital treatment.
Under heavy guard at a hospital.
Frechett rsved. From coherent parts
Of his talk. police pieced together
the information that he is a stunt
flyer and parachute exhibitionist who
went TO an aviation school at Rose
vile a few days ago for instructions.
Yesterday he engaged Anderson,
who operates a small commercial
flying concern in R~oseville. to pilot
him to Pontiac. From letters found
in FEechett's clothing police thought
the purpose Of the trip might have
been a bizarre and preconceived plan
Of self destruction, the epilogue Of
which was to have been over the
home town Of his sweetheart.
One Of the letters. addressed 20 a
Miss Georgia Pardee Of Pontiac.
couched in endearments, concluded as
follows:
death is my message. Sweetheart"
Another addressed TO Frechett's
mother. said he feared that death
approached"
Tells Of Attack
Anderson, who told police he vas
not previously acquainted with Frech-
EFT. said the man appeared 10 be nor
nal when he made arrangements for
the flight. When they arrived over
Pontiac, however, the pilot said. the
passenger grabbed a hammer and be-
gar to belabor him over the head.
1T was awful" Anderson told
Sheriff Harvey Teddler. "The first
blow at me barely grazed my head.
! tried TO grapple with him and at
the same time keep my machine from
pitching. One Of the blows made
everything 60 black. Then 7 remem-
Der coming to. ] saw We were head
ing in q nose dive. 7 jerked the con-
trolls and tried To right the plane.
Just as was swinging out Of the
dive. ! felt the wheels Of the under
carriage touch the ground for some
distance and then the ship went over
or its nose"
Plane Rolled
Attaches at the asylum filled In the
narrative. The plane approached
Pontiac cruising leisurely at an al
titude Of about 1000 feet. suddenly
II began to spiral about. This contin-
ued for about a minute. then IL
banked AZ an angle Of about az de-
Rrees and began a dizzy plunge
earthward. nose down. when within
200 feet Of the ground. the ship
riEhted itself. and after attaining an
ever keel. made as IL 70 land. When
IL touched land. however. the under
p%inning crumpled throwing the ma
chine over several times.