East Boston Airport – November 13, 1938
On November 13, 1938, students from the Phi Beta Epsilon fraternity of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology chartered three passenger planes for its “1938 version of the Boston Tea Party”. The planes left East Boston Airport and flew in formation around the city of Boston while those aboard sipped tea. All went well until the planes returned to the airport. As one aircraft was making its way across the tarmac after landing, its landing gear suddenly collapsed. Everyone aboard received a good jolt, but there were no reported injuries. Damage to the plane was estimated to be $10, 000.
Source:
New York Times, “Boston Tea Party In Air Ends As Big Plane Is Upset”, November 14, 1938