CHARLES WACHTER -1910

 

Tragedy on Aviation Field. Explosion Caused his Machine to Crash to Earth, and Aviator Wachter was Instantly Killed. Among Spectators on Betheny Plain Who Witnessed Accident were Wachter's Wife and Child Daily Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee: July 4, 1910, Transcribed by Bob Davis - 9-24-03 Betheny Plain, Rheims, France,July 3. - "The opening of the second aviation meeting today on the historic field of Betheny was marked by a fatal accident, Aviator Wachter being killed.      Wachter was the first of the contestants to appear for practice this morning. In his monolpane he battled long with the gale amid the enthusiasm of the spectators, until the rain compelled him to make a descent. He resumed his flight in the afternoon and was flying magnificently when suddenly an explosion was heard. The wings of the machine doubled up and the monoplane dropped to the earth with lightning speed. The aviator was killed instantly in view of the spectators among whom were his wife and little daughter.      The accident is attributed to the breaking of the wire stays. The prospects for the meeting, which will continue until July 10 are excellent. Seventy-two machines are entered, representing thirteen types. The competitors include Latham, Count De Lambert, Sommer and other cracks. The prizes amount to $50,000.      Americans secured the best prizes last year at the first international meeting here, but this year there are no American entries. It was at Rheims that Glenn H. Curtiss won the International cup, flying 12.42 miles in 13 minutes, 15 3-5 seconds."      Interesting that Websters gives a definition for the adjective, crack (dated 1793) as "of superior excellence or ability." Bob Davis

 

Charles Wachter died in 1910.   Editor's Note: If you have any more information on this Early Flier, please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper   Back