It was exactly 68 years ago today (Aug. 15) that tragedy struck at an air show held at Starling Airport in Arnold.
Randall Chapman, a veteran pilot of gliders, was stunt flying at an air show when something went wrong.
Some of those in audience said that Chapman looked like he was attempting to bail from the plane when he figured out that it was headed toward a group of spectators on the ground, including his wife.
Chapman reportedly sat back down and guided his glider away from the crowd and toward what is now the lake in Arnold City Park. He died in the crash near the lake.
The photo and account were provided by the Arnold Historical Society.
LOOKING BACK is a Leader online feature that highlights historic photos. Readers are invited to submit their historic Jefferson County photos for online publication. Send submissions to LOOKING BACK to nvrweakly@aol.com or bring or mail them to the Leader office, 503 N. Second St., Festus (P.O. Box 159, 63028). Please include your name, phone number, a brief description of what’s in the photo and tell us how you came by it. Please also include when it was taken, where and by whom (if known). A new LOOKING BACK feature will be posted each week.
