What went wrong with America’s first airmail service, introduced in May 1918?
Answer: Large crowds came to see the first flight in Washington DC, but the crowd quickly became restless when the pilot could not get the plane started. The crew then discovered the fuel tank was empty. When the plane finally took off, the pilot went the wrong way. While making an emergency landing to get directions, the propeller broke. A truck had to be called to drive the first 140 pounds of ‘airmail’ to Philadelphia.
Source: Meet the Presidents by Cindy Barden
