Aviator Dies in Yakima 100 Years Ago Today

We recognize the death of one of the first avaiators in Yakima history today. Philip O. Parmelee who was considered to be one of the best and most careful aviators in America, fell to his death in North Yakima, Wash., Saturday afternoon, June 1, 1912, before the eyes of thousands of visitors to the fair grounds.

Philip was holder of the American endurance record in aviation and was used to remaini...ng in the air for three hours without accident, had been up only three minutes when a contrary gust of wind caught the tail of his aeroplane and turned it completely over. Parmelee clung to the frame work, but the plane shot straight for the ground from a height of 400 feet, where it crumbled into a shapeless heap in a field three miles distant from the fair grounds. The young aviator was beneath the wreckage.

Officials of the fair and attendants of the hanger rushed across the open fields to the spot where the wreck lay, but Parmelee was dead when they reached him.

Parmelee, an especial protege of Wilbur Wright, was a carefully trained airman. It is believed that some imprecedented atmospheric condition must have had a part in causing the wreck of his machine.