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First fatal air crash, 1908 C016 / 2529
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First fatal air crash, 1908 C016 / 2529
First fatal air crash, 1908. Spectators and army personnel tending to the victim of the crash of the Wright Military Flyer (Wright Model A) at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA, on 17 September 1908. The pilot was the designer Orville Wright (1871-1948), with fellow aviator Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge (1882-1908) as a passenger. During the flight, in front of a large crowd, a propeller broke, one of the rudders tore lose, and the aircraft nose-dived into the ground from over 20 metres. The aircraft (background) was destroyed. Wright broke a leg and ribs. Selfridge died from a fractured skull, never regaining consciousness after the crash
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Media ID 9202341
© LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1900s 1908 Accident Aeroplane Aiding Aircraft Airfield Airplane Aviation Aviator Aviators Caring Crashed Crowd Death Died Dying Early Emergency Fatal First Aid History Of Flight Inventors Killed North American Passenger Pilot Pilots Pioneer Pioneering Pioneers Plane Policeman Sepia September Spectator Spectators Tending Us Army Virginia Wreck Wrecked Lieutenant Orville Wright Wright Brothers
EDITORS COMMENTS
This historic print captures the tragic aftermath of the first fatal air crash in 1908. The image showcases a crowd of spectators and army personnel rushing to tend to the victims at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA. The ill-fated flight was piloted by none other than Orville Wright himself, with Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge as his passenger. In front of a large audience, disaster struck when one of the propellers broke and a rudder tore loose, causing the aircraft, known as the Wright Military Flyer or Wright Model A, to nose-dive into the ground from over 20 meters high. The impact destroyed the aircraft while inflicting severe injuries on Orville Wright who suffered broken bones and ribs. Tragically, Lieutenant Selfridge succumbed to a fractured skull sustained during the crash and never regained consciousness. This devastating event marked an unfortunate milestone in aviation history. The black-and-white sepia tones add a somber atmosphere to this poignant snapshot from early aviation days. It serves as a reminder of both human resilience and vulnerability in pioneering technological advancements like powered flight. As we reflect on this momentous occasion that forever changed our perception of travel through airways, let us honor those brave pioneers who risked their lives for progress in aviation history.
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