Lincoln Beachey
IIn June 1911 an invitation was sent out for anyone willing to pilot a plane to the U.S.- Canada International Carnival held in Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario.
Lincoln Beachey was then a twenty four year old pilot employed by the Curtiss Aircraft Company of Nebraska. The plane had an open cockpit and two wings. On June 27th Beachey took off from an airport in New York and circled his plane several times over the falls. He then took his airplane to within 20 feet of the rivers’ surface continuing on down the gorge at a speed of 50 mph. He then flew his plane under the arch of the Fallsview Honeymoon Bridge to the astonishment of onlookers.
Lincoln Beachey became the first person ever to fly a plane under a Niagara Falls bridge. Four years later Beachey would lose his life when his aircraft crashed into San Francisco Bay during an exhibition.
Lincoln Beachy during his flight under the Upper Styeel Suspension Bridge |
