100 Years to First Fatal Airplane Accident
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 17 September 2008 21:46
The first fatal airplane accident occurred today, September 17, one hundred years ago.
Orville Wright was demonstrating the Wright Flyer to his passenger, Army lieutenant Thomas Selfridge on September 17, 1908, over Fort Myer, Virginia. During the fifth turn over the field, the propeller broke off and hit a guy wire supporting the rudder, rendering the airplane uncontrollable. Selfridge died as a result of severe head damage and became the first fatality of powered airplane accident. Orville, who was wearing a cap, survived but sustained severe injuries.
The army implemented the findings of this accidents by later requiring its first pilots to wear helmets.
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