Jesse W. Lankford, Aviation Accident Report: 1935 Lockheed Orion 9E crash (1935)
“ Having obtained this information, he proceeded to take off from the lagoon and when an altitude of approximately 50 feet had been reached, the engine was heard to stop and the airplane fell to the water out of control. Both occupants were killed instantly. ”
Jesse W. Lankford, Aviation Accident Report: 1935 Lockheed Orion 9E crash (1935)
“ A study of the effect of the various changes made on the airplane indicated that it was decidedly nose-heavy and must have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to properly control without the aid of the engine. A statement made by the pilot after the change to pontoons confirms this conclusion. The exact cause of the engine failure cannot be determined. The temperature at the time was about 40° and the failure could have been due to the engine having become cool while standing on the lagoon or to ice or water condensate forming in the carburetor. ”
