History Focus
September 17

(September 17, 1908)

The first airplane flight in a controlled powered aircraft was that of Orville Wright. This flight was made in the 12 Horsepower "Flier I" at Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This flight was made at 10:35 a.m. on December 17, 1903.

This, possibly less than spectacular flight, lasted for 12 seconds. The airplane rose to a height of 8 to 12 feet, and reached an incredible air speed of 30 - 35 miles per hour. This flight was witnessed by the co-inventor and brother of the pilot, Orville Wright. Five coastguards also were standing by to witness the man's entrance into the age of flight.

Three more flights were mad the same day. The longest flight was also by Wilbur. This flight covered 852 feet in 59 seconds. The press was not impressed with the Wright brothers' accomplishment. It was treated as just a humorous incident. "The Daily Mail" was the only British newspaper to even mention the flight.

On September 17, 1908 the world records the first airplane crash to result in a death. The Wright brothers were asked by the US Signal Corps to design a two-seater aircraft for the army. The test flight was made on this day. Orville Wright was the pilot for this flight. The passenger was US Army Lieutenant Thomas W. Selfridge. During the flight the propeller broke in mid-air. The plane plunged 150 feet to the earth. Orville Wright was badly injured, but his passenger, Thomas Selfridge, was killed.

Sources: | On This Day| The New Shell Book of Firsts