Geplaatst:12 okt 2007 13:05 - Gewijzigd: 12 okt 2007 13:05

Plane replica damaged in crash

DAYTON - A replica of the Wright brothers’ plane crashed recent during a demonstration to mark the 102nd anniversary of the aviation pioneers’ historic flight.

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There were no injuries, but the crash damaged the replica of the 1905 Wright Brothers Flyer III - a fragile aircraft made primarily of wood and fabric.

The plane came down about 30 seconds into the flight in front of hundreds of spectators at Huffman Prairie, where Wilber and Orville Wright tested their airplanes and taught themselves to fly.

The plane’s motor and frame were functioning properly when he took off, said pilot Mark Dusenberry. But the aircraft began moving up and down between 20 feet and five feet off the ground in roller-coaster fashion. As the plane turned, one of the wingtips hit the ground, bringing the aircraft down.

The Wright brothers’ first flight occurred December 17, 1903, a few miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. But the Wrights couldn’t steer the plane or be assured it could land safely, so they returned home to Dayton and began working on a maneuverable, controllable aircraft.

On October 5, 1905, a 39-minute flight satisfied the Wrights that the plane could take off under its own power, be fully controlled and maneuvered and land safely. At the end of the flight, they declared that they had the world’s first practical airplane. (AP)