Aeronautics: Broken Wing

With a cargo of 1,500 lb., the tail end of the eastbound Christmas mail, Pilot Jimmy Johnson climbed out of Bellefonte, Pa., en route from Cleveland. About 14,000 ft. over Allport, Pa., the left wing of his Carrier Pigeon gave way, banged back against the fuselage, knocked the instrument board loose. Caught by the wind the instrument board was blown against Pilot Johnson’s head, knocking him unconscious. At about 500 ft. Pilot Johnson regained sufficient sense to bail out, pull open his ‘chute. Pilot: safe. Plane: wrecked. Mail: undamaged save for a few torn wrappings.