Ogden Daily Standard | 1914-12-22 | Page 12 | Falls to Death from Aeroplane

FALLS TO DEATH FROM AEROPLANE Oceansdie, Gal.. Dec. 21. Lieuten ant F. J. Gerstner. observer in one of the six United States army scout aeroplanes aero-planes that started on a flight from San Diego to Los Angeles, was drown- ed today in the sea ten miles north of this place. Captain L U Muller, pilot of the wrecked machine, was rescued by Captain L. W. Patterson, another army aviator, whose aeroplane aero-plane had been wrecked near where Lieutenant Gerstner met his death. Captain Patterson saw the wreckage wreck-age of Muller s machine in the water and summoned aid. Muller was rescued, res-cued, badly bruised by the fall and exhausted With his efforts to keep afloat Gertsenr's body was recovered. recov-ered. Four of the six machines that entered en-tered the fight were brought to the earth ner here. The other machine reached Ix Angeles in safety. Stormy weather ami bad air conditions were held responsible for the accidents. The aeroplanes were to have made the flight back from Los Angeles tomorrow to report tho number and disposition of troops maneuvering in the vicinity of San Diego. The con-test con-test was for a trophy. . rut