Death of American Civil Aviator Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman

The female American aviator Bessie Coleman died on April 30, 1926, aged 34. She was ejected from a plane that was flown by her mechanic and publicity agent, 24-year-old William D. Wills. Upon reaching an altitude of 2,000 ft. (610 m), Coleman was ejected from the plane and suffered fatal injuries upon impact with the ground. The pilot, William Wills, was unable to regain control and the plane crashed, resulting in his immediate death.

Bessie Coleman’s grave at Lincoln Cemetery, near Chicago, Illinois