Registration Number 3887
An Experimentation with Engines
This aircraft is an American Eagle A-1, S/N 92 manufactured
in December 1927 by American Eagle Aircraft Corp., 2330 Harrison
St., Kansas City, MO. It was equipped with a Super Rhone (LeRhone
“Quick Radial”) engine of unspecified horsepower.
It sold on January 13, 1928 to H.H. Patton and H.P. Warner, Union
National Bank Bldg., Wichita, KS. This airplane got into trouble
the minute it was turned over to the new owner. It suffered
a forced landing accident at Kansas City on January 13 when the
engine failed due to lack of oil. The pilot, Howard Jones
had no injuries; the passengers, Mr. & Mrs. H.P. Warner,
had minor injuries. The pilot, in employ of American Eagle,
was loaned to Mr. & Mrs. Warner to fly to Lincoln, NB
to visit Mrs. Warner’s mother.
The airplane must not have been badly damaged, since NC3887
landed a month later in Tucson on February 20, 1928 piloted by L.L.
Jonas. He carried one passenger, F.E. Slaton. They were on
their way to Barstow, CA from Kansas City, MO.
On April 3, 1928 Quick Air Motors (owned by Messrs. Patton and Warner)
applied for a special license to use a LeRhone motor converted
under Quick patents, for “demonstrating until the motor
is approved.” Thus, the plane was probably being flown
with passengers on January 13 and February 20 in violation of the special
license issued because of the non-standard engine. The cart
was clearly before the horse.
During the next seven years, the airplane changed hands ten
times (including one transfer to satisfy a mechanic’s
lien of $113.05). It was re-engined and re-covered three times
each, and suffered two accidents. Through it all, it stayed
in Kansas for most of its life. The last owner, from Wichita,
reported the airplane, “Completely washed out in windstorm
November 12, 1935; will not rebuild.” No further information or photographs.
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THIS PAGE UPLOADED: June, 2005 REVISED:
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