Augusta, Maine – June 6, 1930
On June 6, 1930, two friends took off in a small airplane from Boston bound for Fairfield, Maine. Along the way the landed at Portland Airport to refuel. They resumed their flight, but while 1,000 feet over the Augusta area the engine suddenly sputtered and stopped. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field but when the plane was about 100 feet from the ground it suddenly nose dived and crashed. Both occupants were killed.
It was discovered that the crash had occurred because the plane had run out of gas, and examination of the wreckage revealed the petcock on the gas tank had been left open. The type of airplane was stated in the press.
It was reported that both men were student pilots, and the one flying the plane only had ten flight hours.
Source: (Prov.) Evening Bulletin, “2 Student Pilots Killed In Crash”, June 6, 1930.
