The first person to die as a 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. Thomas E. Selfridge was a passenger aboard the 1908 Flyer when the right propeller encountered and fouled a guy wire.
Details of the Incident
This critical failure caused the aircraft to lose control and crash to the ground.
- Date: September 17, 1908
- Aircraft: 1908 Flyer
- Cause: Right propeller fouled a guy wire
- Pilot: Orville Wright (seriously injured)
- Passenger: Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge (fatally injured)
Summary of the First Airplane Fatality
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | September 17, 1908 |
| Location | Fort Myer, Virginia (implicitly, common knowledge associated with 1908 Wright military trials) |
| Aircraft Model | 1908 Flyer |
| Pilot's Fate | Orville Wright seriously injured |
| Passenger's Fate | Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge fatally injured |
| First Fatality | Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge |
This incident marked a somber milestone in the early history of aviation, highlighting the inherent risks involved in pioneering flight. While Orville Wright survived the crash, Lieutenant Selfridge succumbed to his injuries, making him the first recorded fatality in an airplane accident.
