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Old November 19th 12, 05:57 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default W.E. Eaton. 1934 accident

Recently I run into this picture on E-bay. Bought it thinking that it my be a unique one, and possibly historically important.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md...0i52o1_500.jpg

From P. Schweizer book I found that while being on tow in his Franklin, Warren E. Eaton was hit in his eye by removable cockpit fairing, which come loose. He was incapacitated, released his safety belt and had fallen clear but failed to pull the parachute ring.
In the picture we see his glider fished out from Biscayne Bay, Florida. It looks like it is not very damaged. Could he survive if he not bailed out?