Flying Machine Balks, Comes Down

1906

Montgomery Aeroplane Comes Near Killing Aeronaut Wilkie

Oakland, Cal., Feb. 23. — An unsuccessful trial was made by Professor Montgomery's aeroplane at Idora park yesterday and it almost resulted in serious injury to David Wilkie, the aeronaut.

At the height of eighteen feet Professor Montgomery signaled to descend, but the aeroplane did not respond. Suddenly, however, it was seen to drop from its support and a shout went up from the spectators. For a single moment the aeroplane remained on even keel then it swerved sharply and began to fall in short circles. Clinging desperately to the framework of the airship Wilkie could be seen making frantic efforts to regain control of the machine and twice it seemed that he had succeeded. Like a wounded bird the aeroplane swept downward, twice righting itself, only to again plunge toward the earth.

The last time the machine floated on even keel it was within a short distance of the ground and to this fact Wilkie owes his life, for when the machine started again toward the ground it had but a few feet to fall. It struck with force enough to wreck the machine, but the aeronaut escaped with a bad gash on the nose and a number of painful bruises.