Saugus, Massachusetts – September 2, 1911
On September 2, 1911, an aviator, identified only by his last name of Schumacker, was taking off from Franklin Field in Saugus in a biplane belonging to Guy Foss, the son of Massachusetts Governor Eugene N. Foss. According to witnesses, the aircraft had attained an altitude of 20 feet when it was hit by a gust of wind that nearly overturned it. As the plane was nearly upside-down, Schmacker jumped free of the controls and tumbled along the ground. The airplane continued downward for another few feet and was smashed apart when it hit the ground.
Mr. Schumacker escaped with only minor injuries.
Source: (N.Y.) The Sun, September 3, 1911, page 5
