Miami, FL plane crashes into bay, Feb 1930

THREE MEN KILLED WHEN PLANE DIVES INTO FLORIDA BAY

Prospective Purchaser One Victim in Crash Near Miami - Deaf Mute Boxer Dies in Chute Jump

Miami, Fla., Feb. 28 - (AP) - Three men were killed when an airplane crashed into Biscayne bay beside the Venetian causeway here while it was being taken aloft on an expedimental [sic] trip today. The dead are: Merritt S. Carlton of Miami Beach, a passenger; F. J. Somers, chief engineer of the Miami Aircraft company, and Thomas B. Ward, pilot. The airplane was owned by the Miami Aircraft company and had recently been built. Carlton went up in it today as a prospective purchaser, it was learned.

Company's Head Sees Crash

Joseph M. Smoot, president of the company had come to the airport here this morning with the intention of making a flight with Somers and Ward, but gave up his place to Carlton when he learned that the New York man was considering purchase of the craft. Smoot witnessed the crash as the plane took off.

The airplane was a flying boat, the third to be made by the company, which was organized last year by a group of local capitalists. Production so far has been of experimental nature, and the craft that fell today was the only one in possession of the company, the other two having been dismantled after improvements had been devised.

Fell Into Shallow Water

The fatal accident was witnessed by a number of motorists who were passing on the Venetian causeway at the time. It occurred shortly after 10.30 today. Witnesses said that Ward took off from the surface of the bay after Carlton and Somers had entered the cabin of the flying boat. Previously, Smoot had climbed out at request of Somers to give his place to Carlton.

The pilot lifted the nose of the craft into the air after taxiing along the surface of the bay for a short distance. As the plane gained altitude, Ward banked sharply, apparently in an attempt to face more directly into a shifting wind. As he banked, the airplane fell into the shallow waters of the bay.

The bodies of Carlton and Somers were recovered shortly after the accident. Some difficulty was experienced in finding Ward's body but it was found after an hour's search. Inquest into the deaths of the three men will be held tomorrow night.

The Springfield Republican, Springfield, MA 24 Feb 1930
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Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!