unitedstatesarmyaircorps

A full frame version of this photo is among those in the SDASM's Ted Hall collection. See:

This is a photo of the body of Lt. Howard W. Keefer (USAAC). Keefer was piloting a US Army Air Corps Boeing PW-9D (Ser. A.C. 28-37) fighter when it collided in mid-air with a Maddux Air Lines Ford Trimotor (NC9636; c/n 5-AT-10), on April 21, 1929, causing both aircraft to crash upon/near Manzanita Canyon in San Diego. Keefer was killed when he jumped from his stricken aircraft and opened his parachute too soon, causing it to become entangled with his airplane as it plummeted to the ground (note the parachute risers adjacent to the aircraft's crumpled rudder). In addition to Keefer, all five persons aboard the Trimotor perished as a result of the crash. See: aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19290421-0 disasteroushistory.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-first-mid-air... Howard William Keefer (1892-1929) - Find-A-Grave See also (and comments):

As per J. Baugher's website: "Lockheed XP-38 Lightning 37-457 (MSN 022-2201; Model 22-64-01) prototype. First flight Jan 27, 1939. While attempting a transcontinental speed record, crashed on approach to Mitchel Field, Long Island, NY Feb 11, 1939 after cross-country flight from March Field, CA when engines failed to respond as pilot Ben Kelsey attempted to apply power short of the airfield. Plane came down on Cold Stream Golf Course after clipping trees. Pilot survived without injury but plane was written off from damage after sliding through a sand trap." www.flickr.com/photos/lightning72/3968629283/in/photolist...