John C. Burchard, 89, who made headlines for trying to fly an airplane with no experience in 1930, died in a car crash last Monday in Little Compton, RI.
The electronics engineer tried his hand at flying in a small plane in Chicago in June 1930, even though he had never been in one before. After takeoff, he found himself in the air upside down with gasoline dripping over his nose, hanging by his seat belt. He managed to land in a pasture - still upside down - and walked away with only a bump on his head.
Burchard later took flying lessons, and received his pilot's license in 1943. He continued flying until shortly before his death.
GALESBURG REGISTER-MAIL: JULY 25, 1988
The electronics engineer tried his hand at flying in a small plane in Chicago in June 1930, even though he had never been in one before. After takeoff, he found himself in the air upside down with gasoline dripping over his nose, hanging by his seat belt. He managed to land in a pasture - still upside down - and walked away with only a bump on his head.
Burchard later took flying lessons, and received his pilot's license in 1943. He continued flying until shortly before his death.
GALESBURG REGISTER-MAIL: JULY 25, 1988
John C. Burchard, 89, who made headlines for trying to fly an airplane with no experience in 1930, died in a car crash last Monday in Little Compton, RI.
The electronics engineer tried his hand at flying in a small plane in Chicago in June 1930, even though he had never been in one before. After takeoff, he found himself in the air upside down with gasoline dripping over his nose, hanging by his seat belt. He managed to land in a pasture - still upside down - and walked away with only a bump on his head.
Burchard later took flying lessons, and received his pilot's license in 1943. He continued flying until shortly before his death.
GALESBURG REGISTER-MAIL: JULY 25, 1988
The electronics engineer tried his hand at flying in a small plane in Chicago in June 1930, even though he had never been in one before. After takeoff, he found himself in the air upside down with gasoline dripping over his nose, hanging by his seat belt. He managed to land in a pasture - still upside down - and walked away with only a bump on his head.
Burchard later took flying lessons, and received his pilot's license in 1943. He continued flying until shortly before his death.
GALESBURG REGISTER-MAIL: JULY 25, 1988
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
