1927: The Start of a Transatlantic Flight that Did Not Reach Its Planned Destination but Still Managed to Set a Couple of World Records

October 11, 1927

Ruth Elder (1902-1977) and her co-pilot George W. Haldeman (1898-1982) took off from Long Island’s Roosevelt Field in a yellow Stinson Detroiter monoplane named American Girl for what was supposed to be the longest transatlantic flight to date. 

Elder and Haldeman, both of whom are depicted in the accompanying photo, planned to fly their plane all the way to Le Bourget Airport in the vicinity of Paris, France. A major mechanical problem in the skies above the Atlantic, however, prevented this from happening. This problem occurred on the morning of October 12, when an oil line on the plane’s engine cracked. With the plane steadily losing oil, Elder and Haldeman were forced to make a water landing approximately 360 miles (597.7 kilometers) west of the Azores.

Both Elder and Haldeman survived this emergency landing without injury. They were soon rescued by the Dutch-registered tanker S.S. Barendrecht. This ship’s crew attempted to get the plane on board as well but ended up releasing this aircraft back into the water after it caught on fire. Elder and Haldeman were subsequently transported via Barendrecht to the Azores. These aviators were eventually flown to Spain and ultimately arrived in Paris on October 28.

While failing to reach France in their own plane, Elder and Haldeman still managed to set a new world distance record for a flight over water. The total distance covered by American Girl after its departure from Long Island was 2,623 miles (4,221.3 kilometers). This plane’s 36-hour journey also resulted in another record: the longest flight made by a woman up to that time.

After leaving France and returning to the United States as passengers on the British ocean liner RMS Aquitania, Elder and Haldeman were given what the Associated Press characterized as a “thunderous welcome” in New York City.  The pilots were honored with a ticker-tape parade and – during a ceremony at city hall — awarded with an illuminated scroll lauding both their bravery and airborne achievements. This scroll was presented to them by James John “Jimmy” Walker (1881-1946), who served as mayor of New York City from 1926 to 1932. As a part of the ceremony, Elder was invited to address the thousands of people who had gathered there in front of city hall.

“My dear Mr. Mayor, I’m sorry you asked me to speak because I can’t speak, especially in a crowded place like this,” said Elder. “My heart sticks in my throat. But I want you to know how much I thank you. It is more than we expected.”

Haldeman then made a few remarks of his own to those in attendance. “When Miss Elder and I started our flight, we wanted it to be a success for commercial aviation and for the interest of flying in general,” he noted. “Although we did not reach our goal, we hope that our trip will in some way be a benefit to flying in the future.”

Photo Credit: Public Domain

Videos relating to the 1927 long-distance flight of Ruth Elder and George W. Haldeman can be viewed at https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/62266/, https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/62293/, and https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/62392/

For more information on Ruth Elder, please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Elder and https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/11/archives/ruth-elder-dies-at-73-won-fame-in-1927-attempt-to-fly-to-paris.html?auth=login-google1tap&login=google1tap

Additional information on George W. Haldeman is available at https://dmairfield.org/people/haldeman_gw/index.html