Smithfield, Rhode Island – May 28, 1934
On the morning of May 28, 1934, Herman Dolbeck, 40, of Woonsocket, arrived at the Smithfield Airport in his Eaglet monoplane to give flying lessons to 19-year-old Ralph Wilkins of North Smithfield. Wilkins had recently purchased an airplane of his own, a World War I vintage Eaglebrook bi-plane.
The plane had a checkered past. It had belonged to a Providence man who’d had several accidents with it. The next owner went into debt and and was forced to sell it. Wilkins bought it at auction for $150 where it was being kept at the Smithfield Airport.
At some point Dolbeck and Wilkins took off in Dolbeck’s plane for the flying lesson. When the lesson was over, they were met by Wilkins’ family, and after some conversation, it was decided that Dolbeck and Wilkins would take a quick flight in Wilkins’ plane.
The plane had two tandem cockpits with dual controls. After allowing the engine to warm up for about twenty minutes, they took off. Shortly after becoming airborne, while at an altitude of about 250 feet, the engine sputtered and lost power, and the plane nosed over and dove into the ground killing both men.
Sources:
Evening Bulletin, “Two Lose Lives In Plane Crash At Smithfield”, May 28, 1934.
Woonsocket Call, “Victims Pinned By Wreckage Of Ship Termed Obsolete” May 28, 1934.
Unknown Paper, “Two Killed As Plane Crashes In Smithfield”, May 28, 1934
