100 Years ago....
Death of airman Sir Ross Smith
April 13, 1922
Famous Australian aviator Sir Ross Smith and his crew member Lieutenant J Bennett were killed at Brooklands in England today when their Vickers amphibian aircraft went into a spin and nose-dived during a trial flight.
The pair were planning to leave on a world flight on April 25. The tragedy was witnessed by Sir Ross's brother, Keith Smith, and 1500 employees of the aircraft company.
Sir Ross made history in 1919 when he won a 10,000 pound competition for the first flight from London to Australia in less than 30 days. He completed the flight in just under 28 days - a landmark in Australian aviation.
Article from "Chronicle of the 20th Century" ISBN 1 872031 80 3