Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-12
MEXICAN A|RMEN
CRASH TO DEATH
Col. Sidar and Capt. Row.
rosa Victims of Storm While
Seeking Endurance Record.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, May Ia
The bodies of two Mexican airmen, who
survived bullets out died in an electri-
cal storm, lay today in a morgue at
the Atlantic Coast town Porto Limon
after gallant but futile attempt to
break the world long distance flight
record.
Col Pablo Sidar, ace of the Mexican
aviation corps, and his co-pilot and
mechanic, Capt. Carlos Rovirosa, fell
into the sea about three miles south Of
Porto Linon about pm. yesterday
while flying to escape an electrical and
With their crash, far of the planned
course down the American Pacific
Coast to Chile and across the Argen-
tine, a distance of 5000 miles, they had
travelled about 1000 miles. They left
Cerro Loco Cray HID, near San
Geronimo, Oaxca. Mexico, at 5:21 am,
almost IL hours before the disaster.
Boats from Porto Limon recovered
the bodies of the two men, that of
Col. Sidar being dashed into frag-
mentS. The monoplane, of American
make and known as the MoreloS, after
the Mexican independence hero, was
smashed into bits.
Shift Caused No Anxiety.
The two airmen rose at Cerro Loco
without difficulty, despite the five-ton
weight of their ship. which carried
1000 gallons of gasoline. Their prog
reSs was reported occasionally through
out Sunday, and even shifting of the
course from the Pacific Coast to the
Atlantic Coast caused no anxiety, since
1t was presumed adverse weather con-
ditionS had been encountered on the
FIRST route.
At about pm. the plane passed over
Porto Limon, flying south along the
coast. A few minutes later as the skies
were darkening with an approaching
storm, 1t reappeared, apparently max
ing for the town to land. AS the first
drops Of rain fell the plane wobbled and
was seen to fall into the sea.
Boats soon recovered the bodies of the
two airmen from the shallow water into
which the plane fell Search continued
for the body of a third man, mechanic
named Enrique, who at first was be-
lieved to have been aboard the plane,
but whose presence later was denied.
The bodies will be shipped to Mexico.
Cause of Crash Undetermined.
termined, but il was believed to the
unusual weight of the plane, together
with hazardous atmospheric conditions
brought on by the approaching storm,
caused the crash.
The accident recalled death of Capt.
Emilio Caranza. at Mount Holly, N. j.,
two years ago, after he had set out from
New York on nonstop flight to Mex
leo City. Lightning was believed to have
struck his plane.
Col. Sidar largely had taken the place
IN Mexican affection left vacant with
the death Of Carranza. Just 81 years
old, he had earned name for daring
and skill. During the revolution of a
year ago his observer once was shot
dead in the plane beside him.
He was q fatalist. Recently when
visiting In another Latin American
country, he placed a wreath on the
grave Of its aviation hero, and spoke the
words, "Hasta Luego'-"Until we meet
again." When questioned he shrugged
his shoulders and said that flying was
o dangerous game, and that he would
some day be called upon to pay its
race last year.
Lieut.. RoviroSa also was a member
OF the Mexican Air Corps and fought
In the last revolution. He participated
in the Mexico City TO Kansas City air
race last last year.