Boston Harbor, Massachusetts – May 18, 1930
On May 18, 1930, Paul Herman, 26, of Winthrop, Massachusetts, was test flying a new Curtis – cabin monoplane over East Boston Airport when he suddenly developed a problem with the rudder. He tried to bring the plane down on the airfield but overshot the landing and sailed out over the harbor and hit the water about 200 feet from shore.
Richard Cowden, a salesman for Curtis-Wright, jumped into the water and swam to Herman’s assistance. Both clung to a wing of the partly submerged aircraft until rescued by a motorboat sent from the air field.
Herman was treated for cuts and immersion.
Source: New York Times, “Saves Self In Plunge Of Plane Into Water”, May 19, 1930
