Pilot escapes with only bruises after 1942 biplane crashes in Arizona desert
While recreating historic American airmail routes, a British aviator and her 1942 biplane crashed in the Arizona desert last week.
She and her passenger emerged without any serious physical injuries, although the aircraft suffered extensive damage.
You May Also Like
Tracey Curtis-Taylor, 53, is an experienced pilot who has recreated many historic global routes in vintage planes. On this route, she was crossing the country from Seattle to Boston in a vintage 1942 Boeing Stearman called the "Spirit of Artemis."
Curtis-Taylor wrote on Facebook on Sunday that the crash, which happened en route to Phoenix, Arizona, after taking off from Winslow, was most likely caused by "a combination of high density altitude ... and a partial loss of power."
The plane started to sink and Curtis-Taylor performed a gentle turn into the nearby open desert. When the plane hit ground, its right wheel stuck a sage root and tore off some of the landing gear.
"It then cartwheeled tail over the nose in a cloud of sand and dust," Curtis-Taylor wrote. "The damage is extensive but the impact was absorbed by the wings and the airframe and the cockpit remained intact."
Curtis-Taylor and her passenger, Ewald Gritsch, emerged without any injuries, save some bruises.
"The Stearman is a famously strong aeroplane but my admiration for it is now absolutely boundless when I consider the wider implications of what could have happened," she wrote.
Curtis-Taylor plans to bring the plane back to Winslow once it is repaired and pick up the journey where it left off.
"My only desire now is to get the Spirit of Artemis flying again and to bring it back to America," Curtis-Taylor wrote.
In January, Curtis-Taylor completed a three-month solo flight from Britain to Australia, recreating the 1930 flight by British aviatrix Amy Johnsons which is recognized as one of the great solo flight achievements. Curtis-Taylor covered 13,000 miles over 23 countries.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne
