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On Tuesday, September 2nd, he made several flights, carried the mail, then took off carrying a long time friend, J.D. Spellman. While flying at about 500 feet the motor began to misfire, and Schmitt throttled down, starting a glide for the Fairgrounds. Spellman became hysterical, rose from his seat and became tangled in the control wires, breaking the rudder control. He then seized the shoulder yoke in back of Schmitt throwing the plane completely out of control. The plane spun and dove into the ground. Schmitt received fatal injuries from which he died a few hours later, at age 22. Spellman escaped with minor injuries. Schmitt had never taken time to fly for a pilot license.

On October 21[[strikethrough]]st[[/strikethrough]], 1941, Schmitt was honored by the Rutland City Council and local civic groups in a special ceremony held in his memory.

Flying Pioneer George Schmitt accomplished much in his short aviation career. Starting at a very early date to build his own planes, teaching himself to fly, and going to become one of the early group of well-known American exhibition aviators, it is truly a pity that he lost his life in such an accident. Through no fault of his own, an excitable passenger terminated his promising career. His name and work must be well remembered in early American aviation history.

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