The Miles Dixson Crash

There have been many airplane crashes in the Kanawha Valley over the years, especially the early years of flying.  Glen Clark's seaplane base at the foot of the Levee was famous for many years of teaching others to fly.  Naturally,  crashes were not all that uncommon "back in the day".   For instance, a friend of mine took this photo when one of Glens planes crashed into a tree on Kanawha Blvd. West:

But one of the more interesting crashes involved a young man who by all accounts was a level headed pilot with a bright future ahead,  decided to stunt a seaplane.  Seaplanes are what everyone called the float planes that flew off the Kanawha River from Clarks Seaplane Base.  No one knows why young Dixson would attempt stunts with such a fragile aircraft. The only conclusion is that he knew exactly what he was doing and what the outcome of his actions would be.  There's simply no other explanation........

FROM THE DAILY MAIL

FROM THE GAZETTE

SEE MORE ON CLARKS SEAPLANE BASE HERE

Top photo courtesy of Danny Davidson

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