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Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Everett Frady Killed, Lt. Whitt Injured, When Airplane Crashed Near Asheville, July 25, 1920

From the Dunn Dispatch, July 27, 1920

Everett Frady Killed in Airplane Accident. . . Frady, Air Passenger at Asheville, Became Frightened 'Froze to Control'

Asheville, July 25--Everett Frady was killed and Lieut. Theodore Whitt had both legs and one arm broken when the airplane in which they were riding crashed to earth near Asheville at 11:30 o'clock this morning.

From a statement made by Whitt when he was picked up, Frady had become frightened when the plane was leaving the landing field about half a mile beyond the end of the Grace (can't read two words) and seized the control. He "froze" to the control despite efforts of the pilot to loosen his hold and the ground from a height of 250 feet killing Frady instantly. Frady was riding as a passenger in the (??) plane operated by Scott Dillingham. Several successful flights had been made during the morning. The machine was a total wreck.

When found Whitt was conscious and taken to the Mission hospital. The injuries were to his limbs. No internal injuries were suffered and it is said by the attending physicians that he will recover. Frady was dead when those witnessing the flight reached his side. His body was removed to an undertaking parlor and laterwas taken to his home.

According to those who were first to reach his side his two hands were clenched tight about the control stick. Whitt's first words were "he froze to my stick and I tried to knock him loose but couldn't. The plane was then thrown into a spin because his grip was more powerful than mine."

The machine was an old Curtis J.N.V. with an O.H.-5 motor generating 80 horsepower. It was recently purchased by Dillingham and brought here on July 17 from Rome, Ga. It had been in flight over Asheville every day since that time, and had carried about 50 passengers.

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