The first person to die as the result of an airplane accident was Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge.
According to the National Museum of the USAF, this tragic event occurred on September 17, 1908. Lt. Selfridge was a passenger aboard the 1908 Flyer (Wright Flyer III) piloted by Orville Wright. During the flight, the right propeller fouled a guy wire, causing the aircraft to crash. While Orville Wright was seriously injured, Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge sustained fatal injuries, making him the first fatality in powered flight history.
This landmark accident highlighted the inherent risks involved in early aviation experiments and spurred further development in aircraft design and safety protocols.
Here are the key details of the event:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1908 |
| Aircraft | 1908 Flyer (Wright Flyer III) |
| Pilot | Orville Wright (Seriously Injured) |
| Passenger | Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge (Fatally Injured) |
| Cause of Crash | Right propeller fouled a guy wire |
| Significance | Lt. Selfridge became the first person to die in an airplane accident |
This incident marked a somber moment in the dawn of aviation, underscoring the challenges faced by pioneers in achieving controlled, sustained flight.
