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he flew the plane from Governors Island to Garden City, Long Island. As a result of his fine flight on August 21, Carlstrom won the Curtiss Marine Trophy for 1916 again the other competitors.

On January 10, 1917, he was appointed a First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Signal Corps, Aviation Reserves, but was not ordered to active duty, so he soon returned to Newport News as instructor. There, on May 9th, Carlstrom and a new student, Carey E. Epes, were instantly killed when the right wing of their plane crumpled at 3,500 feet, causing the plane to plunge downward with the detached wing sailing after it. It was reported that they were flying an old school plane which was badly worn out from continual use.

Flying Pioneer Victor Carlstrom was indeed one of the outstanding pilots of the early era. With a natural ability for the air he rose rapidly to become recognized as one of the best pilots and instructors of his time. A skilled, cautious flyer, he ha never had a serious accident [[strikethrough]] and his death was caused by [[/strikethrough]] until the crash caused by  structural collapse, which was beyond his control, caused his death. Aviation lost one of its best in his death and later a U.S. World War I flying field was named in his honor at Arcadia, Florida.

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