Norwood, Massachusetts – May 8, 1935

     On May 8, 1935, a 40-year-old instructor at the Harvard Institute of Geography, and instructor of aerial photography at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, took off from the Norwood Airport in a small plane to demonstrate some aerobatic maneuvers in order to qualify for a limited commercial pilot rating.   As he flew over the airport at an altitude of about 3,000 feet, he began to put the aircraft through a series of spins.  After  making one successful spin, he attempted another, but this time the engine stalled and he was unable to recover.  The plane crashed into a swampy area along the Neponset River.  The aircraft was wrecked, but fortunately the fall was broken by trees and thick muck, and the pilot only received a small cut on his forehead.   He was able to walk away from the plane and wade through thick waist-deep muck to greet his rescuers.   Later in the day he boarded another plane and flew to Boston. 

     The type of aircraft was not stated in the press. 

     Sources:

     Washington Times, (D.C.), “Air Photographer Survives Crash”, May 9, 1935

     Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.), “Flyer Crashed But Was saved”, May 9, 1935.