Show I FLYER FLIER L AN PASSENGER lULLED KILLED THOMA DIES IN CRASH CRAS IN Plane Suddenly Takes Nose Dive While Over Moonachie WAS FLYING FAST Ship Just Overhauled for Endurance Trial TETERBORO AIRPORT Hasbrouck Hasbrouck Has- Has brouck Heights N. N J. J May 9 AP AP- AP Lieutenant Royal V. V Thomas who recently tried for an endurance record record rec- rec ord rd in the Bellanca monoplane Reliance Re Re- liance and Vaughn a mechanic in the employ of the Wright Aeronautical company were killed tilled today when the plane crashed rashed at this field The crash occurred over Moona- Moona chic hie just northwest of this field Thomas' Thomas plane had been at the Teterboro service field for two or three days undergoing overhauling in n preparation for another endurance endurance endur endur- ance nce record attempt Word of the cr crash 1 Was telephoned to o the field by George superIntendent of the New York cemetery at Moonachie l He said the he plane was flying over the town at t high speed and went into nto a a. dive Both men were killed instantly Thomas came near disaster when he ie first took off from Roosevelt fIeld a week ago today on his endurance endurance en- en durance urance effort His plane carryIng carry- carry lag Ing ng the heaviest field load a single whirlwind engine had over ever been called on to lift wobbled dangerously dangerously danger- danger down the entire foot runway runway runway run run- way and took toole to the air only at the very end He rose without trouble trouble trou- trou ble le with a lightened load on his second takeoff attempt During his long hours alone In inthe inthe the he air the flier filer had a noose about his ils neck as a safeguard against falling ailing asleep The rope was fastened fastened fast- fast ened ned at his back in the coel cockpit and andie the ie other end was tied loosely about his ils neck If he lie had become drowsy and nd his head had fallen forward in n sleep the noose would have choked him back bacle to wakefulness He e had no need for the arrangement arrangement arrangement arrange arrange- ment however Immediately after alter failing falling in the flight Thomas had said saidie he ie would make a new attempt within with- with in n a week or ten days |