CATASTROPHE: En Route to Death

A plywood Army glider was released from its tow plane over St. Louis’ Municipal Airport. A wing cracked, shredded into splinters. The glider plummeted crazily 1,500 feet to earth. Debris and bodies were thrown 50 ft. into the air. All ten passengers were killed instantly. Among them were St. Louis’ 67-year-old reform Mayor William Dee Becker, Major William B. Robertson, pioneer aviation enthusiast and backer of Lindbergh’s Paris flight, and other top city officials. The glider ride was the climax of a demonstration by the Army’s Troop Carrier Command; the tragedy was watched by 4,000, including wives of the victims.