1928 Fatal Glider Crash – Early Homebuilt Aviation Press Photo (AP Stamped)

Original 1928 press photo documenting the crash of a 36-ft wingspan homebuilt glider—an experimental aircraft that fell 75 feet due to a failed control mechanism. This tragic image captures the perils faced by early aviation pioneers in the 1920s, when structural failures were common and safety standards were minimal. Issued by the Associated Press, the photo includes a typed caption of the glider in flight (dated Oct. 29, 1928), emphasizing the media’s ongoing interest. A powerful artifact from the dawn of American homebuilt aviation.