US Navy Bailout September 9, 1931

[paulmcmillan]

Hopefully don't mind on a bit of a 1931 Roll


September 9, 1931
Lt. (JG) Shirley Snow Miller
Boeing F3B-1 Serial Unknown
Hampton Roads, Va

Fort Myers, Florida Issue Date: Thursday, September 10, 1931 Parachute Opens As Flier Nears Ground NORFOLK. Va., Sept. 9 (VP)
Lieutenant S- S. Miller, attached to aircraft squadron V-3 aboard the U. S. S. Langley, narrowly escaped death this
afternoon when his parachute failed to open until he was within 75 fest of the ground after a 1000 foot drop. Lieutenant Miller's
single-seater land plane plunged to earth after his right wing crumpled 100 feet above Cape Henry and he leaped over the side.
"Fighter Squadron three, aircraft squadrons of the scouting force" VF-3B

I found out a little more on this incident but precise details are vague

"diving on a target plane being towed by another plane when both top wings of biplane sheered off" - Also Right Top wing quoted
- He had a trapped foot and only escaped at around 800 feet due to extracating foot from shoe - Then left pulling the parachute for another 400 feet
to avoid hitting the aircraft

Later Adm Shirley Snow Miller


Aircraft Serial and type to be confirmed Please

[twocee]

This was F3B-1, A-7745, of VF-3B. Miller had started his pull-out from a dive bombing run at 2,000 ft. when his right upper wing tore off.