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.-R9-The
story o. . battle 1000 feet in thu air
between two Tiers, Harry Anderson
OF Rossvflls, Mich, pilot, and Clsr-
{ Frechett o. Detroit, an serial
exhibitionist, 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
1ured In the plane, which was de-
molished 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
the weapon, Anderson said he recov-
cred after the plane had taken a
sheer drop of nearly 1900 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. Rrechett was less
seriously injured but required hos
rital treatment.
Under heavy guard at a hospital,
Frechett raved. From coherent parts
Of his talk. police pieced together
the information that he is a stunt
flyer and parachute exhibitionist who
wen 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 Roseville, to pilot
him TO Pontiac. From letters found
in Frechett'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 70 have been over the
home town Of his sweetheart.
One Of the letters, addressed 70 a
Miss Georgia Pardee Of Pontiac,
couched in endearmentS, concluded as
follows:
Death is my message, Sweetheart"
Another addressed 70 Frechett's
mother, said he feared that death
approached"
Tells Of Attack
Anderson, who told police he was
not previously acquainted with Frech-
EFT, said the man appeared 70 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-
gan to belabor him over the head.
"It vas awful Anderson told
Sheriff Harvey Teddler. "The first
blow AZ me barely Erazed my head.
tried 10 grapple with him and at
the same time keep my machine from
pitching. One of the blows made
everything 20 black. ThenT remem-
Der coming 10. | saw We we're head
ing in a nose dive. I jerked the con-
trolls and tried 20 right the plane.
Just as ] was swinging out Of the
dive. ! felt the wheels or the under
carriage touch the ground for some
distance and then the ship went over
on 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
" began 70 spiral about. This contin-
ued for about . minute, then II
banked AZ an angle OF about 45 de-
grees and began a dizzy plunge
earthward, nose down. when within
200 feet Of the ground, the ship
righted itself. and after attaining an
eve keel. made as If 70 land. When
IL touched land, however. the under
pinning crumpled throwing the ma
chine over several times.