Eddie Rickenbacker Critically Injured in Airplane Crash
Eddie Rickenbacker Critically Injured
Eddie Rickenbacker, who led a consortium to buy the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1927, was critically injured in a crash of an Eastern Air Lines DC3 on approach to the Atlanta airport on February 27, 1941. Rickenbacker, the president of Eastern Air Lines, was on his way to give a speech in Birmingham, Alabama.
The $120,000 New York-to-Mexico sleeper airplane left New York and made a stop in Washington, D.C. before continuing on to Atlanta. It was approaching the Atlanta airport, then Candler field, with thirteen passengers in foggy weather. It passed over Candler field around 11:40 p.m. The pilot, James Perry, Jr., planned to circle and return to land at the airport. The crash occurred about 10 miles south of the airport. On the approach to Candler field, the plane’s right wing clipped the top of the tallest pine tree. In the crash one motor was torn loose and thrown 75 feet from where the plane struck the ground. Amazingly, the plane did not catch fire.
The survivors spent the night in a light rain and nearly freezing temperatures. At dawn, Jesse Rosenfeld, a resident of New Orleans, made his way to a nearby house. He was transported to a telephone to summon the rescue party. Rosenfield had been thrown out of the plane.
Several farmers reported hearing the impact as the plane crashed into trees. Shortly after daybreak, scores of farmers, police, and officials of Eastern Air Lines rushed to the crash site. There, they found a terrible scene. The passenger compartment was crumpled and smashed, and the wings were splintered.
Rickenbacker was the last person to be removed from the plane. Rescuers had to cut away the left side of the airplane to reach him. Initially, it was believed that Rickenbacker was dead when he was pulled from the wreck. But a doctor, using a stethoscope, discovered he was still breathing. He was wrapped in warm blankets and given a stimulant before being taken to Piedmont Hospital. He was seriously injured with a fractured hip, broken leg, broken ribs, and severe lacerations. Survivors of the crash highly praised Rickenbacker. One survivor told the Atlanta Constitution, that Rickenbacker was conscious, although in agony, almost the entire time until rescuers reached the airplane, and kept yelling ‘Don’t strike a match. It’ll explode the gasoline.’”
Rickenbacker missed the 1941 Indianapolis 500 because he was still recovering from his injuries. From his Atlanta hospital room, he phoned the drivers in their pre-race meeting. Aware of the fire which destroyed about half of the garages, he said, “I want to compliment you for living up to the traditions of the Motor Speedway this morning in helping each other in an emergency. You all tried to help out those who lost equipment in the fire and I’m sure that help will be repaid in kind during the day.” He continued, “Take your time and be careful. I want you to feel that I’m there with you in spirit, riding with each one of you to success and happy endings.”
Rickenbacker was released from Piedmont Hospital on June 25. Aided by a cane, he was able to walk to the chartered Eastern Air Lines plane to New York, where he made his home. Before leaving Atlanta, he started a blood and plasma bank at Piedmont Hospital. Funds for the blood bank were donated by the thousands of Eastern Airline employees. The employees wanted to establish the blood bank because of the care and attention given to Rickenbacker during his hospital stay.
Frank Caldwell, chief investigator of the Civil Aeronautics Board, the predecessor to the NTSB, immediately began an investigation of the crash.[9] On June 13, the Civil Aeronautics Board attributed the crash to the probable failure of the captain to check his altimeters before starting to land. The report also said a contributing factor was the absence of an established cockpit procedure on Eastern Air Lines to check the controls and instruments before landing.[10]