Thomas Selfridge: The First Airplane Fatality

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Thomas Selfridge became the first person to die in a powered airplane crash on September 17, 1908.
The crash occurred during a U.S. Army evaluation flight of the Wright Flyer, piloted by Orville Wright.
Selfridge was a U.S. Army officer and an early aviation pioneer, involved with the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA).
He was the first U.S. military officer to fly solo in a modern aircraft (White Wing) on May 19, 1908.
The crash was caused by a broken propeller, leading to structural failure and a nose dive.
Orville Wright survived with severe injuries, but Selfridge died from a skull fracture due to lack of head protection.
The accident led to improvements in aircraft design and the introduction of protective headgear for aviators.
Selfridge is buried at Arlington National Cemetery and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
The damaged propeller from the crash is displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

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