Richmond, Va., June 1—As his loved ones watched him perform stunts in the air, believing, but not positive that it was he, and before their horrified gaze, Second Lieutenant William Auston Sydnor Jr., aged 22, United States Army aviator, plunged 700 feet to earth in an airplane that had become unmanageable, within sight of the home of his uncle, Eugene B. Sydnor, president of the Richmond Drygoods Company, at West Hampton, yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock and was probably instantly killed.
In its descent, the plane, which according to eye-witnesses, was acting erratically, dove into two cedar saplings, one of which it snapped off, the other, it uprooted.
Immediately after striking the second tree, the careening plane was seen to emit a thin spiral of black or blue smoke and in a few seconds later struck the ground with a thud that was heard at the country club and the Richmond University grounds at West Hampson, both some distance away.
Deriving from the unusual antics of the plane that something was amiss, and fearful that the aviator would be unable to right the machine before it reached the ground, scores who had been witnessing the stunts of young Sydnor in mid-air hastened to a field in which it was apparent the machine would land. Before the first of these spectators could reach the scene, the plane had struck the ground and almost immediately a burst of flame was seen. By the time aid had arrived the machine was a mass of flames and the body of the youthful flyer, who was motionless and probably already dead, rapidly was being consumed in the fire that partly consumed both plane and the body of the officer. Young Sydnor was form North Wilkesboro, N.C.
The body, burned beyond recognition, was lifted from the tangled mass of twisted steel and other wreckage left by the destruction of the plane. Then began a feverish search for some trinket or other means by which the body might be identified. First, the searchers uncovered from the ashes and bits of charred wood a metal watch, which, however, did not aid in the identification. Next, a pocket knife was brought to light. Neither did this throw any light on the identity of the victim.
Then a gold signet ring was brought to light by searchers who persisted after others had abandoned the quest. After the ashes and grime were wiped off the initials of a monogram, “W.A.S.” were deciphered. It was identified by the uncle of young Sydnor.
The plane was a Simplex 1875 and bore the numerals SE-5-A. The gasoline tank, apparently of about 25 gallons capacity, was some distance from the plane.
From The Charlotte News, June 1, 1922
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Body of Sydnor to be Sent Home
Richmond, Va., June 1—The body of Lieut. William A. Sydnor Jr., who fell to his death in an airplain here late yesterday, tonight will be taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Sydnor Sr., at Wilkesboro, N.C. Lieutenant Sydnor yesterday morning had received his diploma from the Reserve Officers’ Training School at Langley Field and was doing stunts over the home of his uncle, Eugene B. Sydnor, at West Hampton, four miles west of Virginia.
His plane fell from a height of abut 700 feet, striking in the yard of his uncle’s home. It immediately burst into flames. Lieutenant Sydnor’s charred body was identified by the uncle from a signet ring.
From The Charlotte News, June 1, 1922
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