Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-08
I ESCAPE injury
AS PLANE HITS CAR
Student Pilot, Taxing Ship,
Fails to See Auto and
Family Within.

Seven persons narrowly escaped in
jury from the whirling blades of a
taxing plane at Congressional Airport,
on the Rockville pike near Halpine,
Md, late yesterday afternoon when
their parked car was struck by an air
plane piloted by Elmer T. Matter, 6o9
Ridge avenue, Silver Spring. Md.
The car, occupied by Lawrence T
Washington. an electrical contractor. OF
1896 Meridian place; his wife, four chill
dren and friend, was slashed and bent
about the body and the windshield
broken. The airplane propeller wa
smashed to bits
Saw Car Too Late.
Following the accident. an argument
over responsibility for the damages en-
sued. Mr.. Washington said Matter
alighted from the plane, displayed his
student pilots permit. and informed
him that the accident was unavoidable.
as he saw the Car too late to turn away
without capsizing, Mr.. Washington re-
ported. The manager of the airport.
Glenn Elliot, was summoned, but re-
fused to make a statement regarding
the responsibility Of the airport or the
pilot.
The contractors version Of the in
cident stated that his car was parked
OH I1l6 CGLI d1lCC 4Od0 Va bAAS GA PS4o
with his daughter, Dorothy Anne, q;
his son, Lawrence, jr., 6, and a friend,
Miss Dolly Dolphin. 1915 Newton street,
in the front seat, while Mrs. Washing
ton was seated in the rear CT the sedan
with the two younger daughters. Eliza
beth, 4, and Georgia Ellen, 2.
The family watched the planes land
and take of for few moments, Mr..
Washington said, and saw the plane
piloted by Matter land at the other end
Of the field and come toward them. AS
the plane drew nearer, and did nct
swerve TO the 6ide, Mr.. Washington said
he got out Of the car and signaled to
the pilot nan effort to make him
divert his course. The machine came
straight on, Mr.. Washington reported,
and he had to scurry aside to prevent
being crushed as it struck the side OF
his automobile.
Mr.. Washington reported the acci-
dent to the Montgomery County police
substation at Bethesda and asked for
action in the matter OF damages.
Corpl. Oscar Gather informed him
that. as the mishap did not occur on
the highway or on public property. 1t
would be necessary to refer the matter
to the aeronautics division Of the De-
partment of Commerce.
Report to Be Required.
The legal ofice of the Commerce
aeronautics division said this morning
that q report of the accident would
be required and an investigator woulo
be made regarding the pilot and the
owner Of the plane, but that this in
curry would in no way affect the
damage problem, as that would require
adjudication in civil courts.
Elliot said the plane was damaged to
the extent of approximately $3.50. The
ship is the property of g. D. Murphy,
3148 o street, he said. Matter, VINO Is
a MECHANIC at Washington Hoover Air
port, is permitted to use the plane at
times in return for mechanical work on
it. Mr.. Elliot stated. He explained that
he refused to Ak responsibility in the
accident because he did not witness 1t
and consequently could have no part
In the damage settlement.
Matter said this morning that he did
not see Mr.. Washington wave to him
and that when he saw the car he was
too close to stop.