Friday, April 30, 1926. Bessie Coleman killed.
Famous African American aviator Bessie Coleman was killed along with passenger, her mechanic and promoter, William D. Willis when her Curtiss JN-4 crashed. A post accident investigation found a wrench jammed in the controls which jammed them.
The airplane was newly purchased and in poor mechanical condition. Her friends had urged her not to fly due to the condition.
