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Contributed by Dan Hazlett, 6-23-10 |
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Closed An Otherwise Re- markably Successful Fair NORTON COURIER by Fred M. Duvall, Publisher Thursday, September 7, 1911 Our information is that the particular machine sent to Norton was Curtiss's own private machine, and what he called a Hydroaeroplane. It was differently built for the regular aeroplane in that it had pontoons attached for the purpose of using it to settle upon and rise from a body of water. The pontoons were removed before sending to to Norton, but apparently not rebalanced. Mr Frisbee started from the west end of the grounds, rising nicely into the air to the height of about 40 feet, when the machine suddenly dropped to the earth like so much stone. The aviator was uninjured, but not the machine. Certain parts of it were badly broken, bent and twisted. This ended the attempt at flying for that day. Mechanics of the company, and all hands at the garage were put to work on repairing. New pieces were put on from repairs carried, and an attempt to balance up the machine by taking off certain parts and moving the engine forward. About four o'clock Friday afternoon, the machine was pushed out into the parkway inside the track and run down to the northeast part next to the track. There the engine was tried out a couple of times, but no start made. It was said the wind was unfavorable, but our best judgment for that is that Mr. Frisbee had grave doubts of the machine acting right. He was not satisfied that the exact balance of the parts needed for a successful flight existed. It was getting late, the races were over and the people were getting uneasy. One by one, two by two, and directly in bunches, men came down to where the machine was until two hundred people had grouped about the machine. This crowd was given to understand that the conditions were unfavorable and exceedingly dangerous to attempt a flight. Nevertheless, the crowd, or a portion of it, became insistent, jeering at and taunting the aviator. This was kept up until the man became almost frantic, and with the sound of coward, and other abusive epithets ringing in his ears, and contrary to his own and the managers judgement, he jumped into the seat and bidding his goodbye, he sent the machine out into the field, where in about 200 ft it rose into the air. |
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Contributed by Dan Hazlett, 6-23-10 |
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It looked for a moment as though a successful flight would be had. When about 60 or 70 feet up the machine made a
dip, but instantly headed up again and sailed over the track at a height of a hundred or hundred and twenty-five
feet when the aviator took a turn to the north. The tip natural to a turn gave the south wind a chance to get under
the planes. The machine seemed absolutely unmanageable, for it turned on edge and came down like a shot, turning
completely upside down, just like a kite with insufficient tail, striking the edge of a row of horse barns,
demolishing one half of the machine and throwing the aviator into the plane remaining. Mr. Frisbee struck upon
his right chest crushing it, and breaking several ribs, and left arm just above the wrist. There was a bruise
above the right temple, but the skull was not broken. Assistance came to the unfortunate man immediately, and
as soon as a stretcher was brought, he was taken to the hospital, where he died shortly therafter. The body
was embalmed, and accompanied by the stricken family to Oswego, new York for burial. |
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The Flyer has fallen. Contributed by Dan Hazlett, 6-23-10 |
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