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the plane would be like Beachey's. He was making a dive at the ground intending to zoom up again, but without the front elevator, his plane responded more slowly, he misjudged his control and struck the ground at an angle at high speed. He was thrown over 30 feet, breaking his neck, and was picked up unconscious. He lived only a few minutes. A cautious and expert flyer, he did not believe in reckless, daredevil flying, and this was one of the very "tame" stunts he had been doing as a part of his work. He was 26 years of age, and was survived by his wife and parents. His body was returned to Davenport, Iowa, for burial.
Flying Pioneer Eugene B. Ely richly deserves great credit in the pages of American aviation history. Before taking up flying he felt he was a failure, but as a self-taught aviator he quickly became world renowned and his name will forever remain among the "early flying greats." Curtiss said of him: "Ely was the highest type of American aviator, as good as the best, he possessed the qualities of personality, character and ability that were admired and highly respected in his private life and his dealings with other men." For the short time he was allowed to live he certainly left a historical legend that will live on for a long time.
Ely was a member of the Aero Club of California, and on October 24, 1911, the Club met in special tribute to his memory. During the Emeryville, California, flying meet in February, 1912, the 23rd was set aside in memory of Eugene Ely. Special "Ely Day" post cards were sold, reviewing his historic flights. The entire gate and card sale receipts of the day were given to Mrs. Ely.


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