Crash Diary

During a demonstration flight, a U.S. Army flyer flown by Orville Wright nose-dived into the ground from a height of approximately 75 feet, killing Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge who was a passenger. This was the first recorded airplane fatality in history. One of two propellers separated in flight, tearing loose the wires bracing the rudder and causing the loss of control of the aircraft. Orville Wright suffered broken ribs, pelvis and a leg. Selfridge suffered a crushed skull and died a short time later. 1 killed

February 03, 1959

Aircraft crash Beechcraft Bonanza that killed Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper near Mason City, Iowa.  The accident was caused by icing and the unwise decision of the pilot to fly into deteriorating weather conditions when he was not instrument rated.

Fatalities: 4 out of 4  

February 03, 1959
The wreckage of an American Airlines Lockheed L-188 Electra is pulled from the East River. Failure of the crew to monitor their essential instruments was listed as the primary cause.