Warwick, Rhode Island – May 25, 1930

     On May 25, 1930, Charles Weaver, operator of the Buttonwoods Flying Service Inc. at Pothier Field in Warwick, and Charles Loring, his chief pilot, arrived at Trumbull Field in New London, Connecticut, to demonstrate a new aircraft to a group of army aviators as a perspective training ship.   A large number of servicemen were at the airport in anticipation of upcoming “war games” over Long Island Sound.  

     When their work was completed, they took off from Trumbull Field to return to Pothier Field.  As they became airborne one of the landing gear wheels of their aircraft fell away and neither man noticed, but the sight was witnessed by several army aviators. 

     Thinking quickly, Lieutenant F. G. Anderson climbed into his own aircraft and took off in pursuit to warn the men of the danger.  Another pilot, Lieutenant John J. Gerhart and his observer found some white paint and quickly painted the warning, “Your landing gear is gone” on the side of their plane.  They too took off in pursuit.  

     Lt. Anderson caught up with the Rhode Island men as they were passing over Westerly, but they didn’t understand what he was trying to warn them about.  A short time later Lt. Gerhart’s plane caught up and when the men read the warning on the side of his plane they understood.  

     Loring then turned over control of the plane to Weaver and then climbed out of the cockpit and onto the wing to get a clear view of the situation.  

     Meanwhile, mechanics at Pothier Field had received word by telephone of the situation and made preparations for a crash landing. 

     The disabled plane made a successful one-wheel landing with minimal damage and no injuries.  The army fliers were credited with preventing what would have been a serious accident.   

     Source:

     Woonsocket Call, “Airmen Land Safely With One Wheel Missing”, May 26, 1930.