Two newspaper articles

# 1 - - published in The Enterprise, 8/3/1944

KENNETH SMITH LOSES LIFE IN MID-AIR PLANE COLLISION OVER BLAIR AIRPORT

WALTER PETERSEN IN HOSPITAL FOLLOWING CRASH IN MID-AIR

SAY LANDING RULES BREACHED

Kenneth Smith, for five years director of the Farm Security Administration work in Blair, was instantly killed in an airplane crash at the Blair airport last Tuesday evening. Riding with Smith was Walter Petersen, well-known automobile dealer with the Vinton Chevrolet Co., who suffered injuries which sent him to the hospital for treatment.

The accident was caused by a mid-air collision of Smith’s plane and another being flown by Walter (Squire) Fitch, also of Blair, as both planes were preparing to land at the port.

According to eyewitnesses of the accident, the plane bearing Smith and Petersen was coming for a landing when the other being flown by Fitch, also started to land. While still about fifty feet in the air, the Fitch plane appeared to light on the wing of Smith’s plane, throwing it out of control and sending it into a spin which ended in a creek at the north edge of the field. Neither of the pilots apparently knew that the other was near and that a collision was likely.

A crowd of interested onlookers was at the field at the time of the accident and they rushed to the stricken plane to give aid to the men. Smith, however, was dead when found and Petersen in a dazed condition. Petersen’s injuries consisted of severe shock, an extremely bad black eye and a small cut on one arm. He was seated back of the pilot’s seat and the padded back of the front seat apparently saved him from further harm.

Both wings of the plane were crumpled when it struck the banks of the creek and the motor was driven back onto the pilot’s lap. Aside from a few parts which can be salvaged, the plane was a total wreck. It was owned jointly by Petersen, Ben Reeh and Ralph Vinton.

Airport officials told Civil Aeronautics Inspectors Wednesday that Smith was considered one of the best pilots at the port. He had been flying for many months and was always conservative in the handling of his plane and always observed the airport regulations to the letter.

It was the first accident the port has had in four and one-half years’ operation.

Kenneth Smith was born May 16, 1908, at Elgin, Illinois, a son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Smith, now of Osceola, Nebraska. At an early age, he moved with his family to Osceola, Nebraska, where he grew to early manhood. He was a graduate of the Osceola High School and later attended the Hastings, Nebraska, college.

On January 12th, 1932, he was united in marriage to Miss Ervilla Jones at Gering, Nebraska, and to their union three children were born. The oldest is David Alden, age 11. Others are Lonne Kay, aged 10, and Jack DeWitt, aged 8.

Smith has been associated with the Farm Security Administration since 1938, coming to Blair August 1st, 1939, to take over the Blair office. His fatal accident occurred on the fifth anniversary of the family’s coming to Blair.

In addition to his wife and three children, he is survived by three sisters and one brother. He was a member of the Blair Lions Club and the First Methodist Church, from which burial services will be held on Friday morning at ten o’clock. Burial will be made in the Blair cemetery. J.E. Campbell Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

During his five years in Blair, Kenneth made a host of close friends. Although of a quiet nature, he took an active part in many civic affairs. He was one of the staunch supporters of activities of the Blair Fire Department. He has given much time to flood relief work during the time of the Missouri River floods and he has given aid to the various scrap drives and war relief drives which have been held throughout the county.

Mrs. Smith for a number of months has been connected with the Washington County Selective Service office where she, likewise has become known to many persons in this area.

The accident has been a deep shock to the entire community and the heartfelt sympathy of the many friends and acquaintances goes out in this hour of bereavement.

# 2 - - published in Pilot-Tribune, 8/3/1944

KENNETH SMITH DIES IN COLLISION OF CUB TRAINERS AT BLAIR PORT, TUESDAY EVE

FELLOW PASSENGER INJURED

AIRPLANE ACCIDENT SHOCKS POPULACE

SMITH, POPULAR BLAIR PILOT, WAS KILLED INSTANTLY WHEN PLANE CRASHED IN RAVINE; WALTER PETERSEN RECOVERING FROM INJURIES

Tragedy struck a deep and somber note in the hearts of many Blair and Washington County residents Tuesday evening when an accident at the Blair Municipal Airport took the life of Kenneth Smith, 36, and injured Walter Petersen, Vinton Garage employee. Both men are of Blair.

Director of the Washington County PSA office and father of three children, Smith was killed instantly when the Piper Cub trainer which he was piloting was forced down by a similar plane and crashed into a ravine bordering the north edge of the airport.

Witnesses to the tragic event said that Smith and Petersen had been enjoying a short before-dusk flight in the Cub, which is jointly owned by a number of Blair flying enthusiasts. They were approaching the field for a landing when they were forced down over the ravine by a second trainer plane, piloted by Wallace “Squire” Fitch, also of Blair, eyewitnesses stated.

Believing that he had struck a tree, Fitch managed to land his plane safely on the airfield just south of the ravine, and climbed out to see the wreckage of his friend’s plane. He was uninjured.

Seated behind Smith as a passenger, Petersen was somewhat protected from the impact of the crash as the plane crumpled into the bank. He escaped with a black eye, a badly bruised nose, and other minor injuries. He was taken to the Blair hospital where he was treated for severe shock. Attendants today reported that his condition was much improved.

The death plane was totally wrecked, one wing torn completely away, the other airfoil badly crumpled, and the fuselage damaged beyond repair. The plane flown by Fitch was undamaged with the exception of the propeller which was badly splintered.

The accident was the first ever to occur at Blair Municipal Airport, and is the only mar on the fliers’ safety record, heretofore 100% perfect.

RITES PLANNED FRIDAY

Funeral rites for Kenneth Smith will be held at the Blair Methodist church on Friday morning, at 10 a.m., with burial in Blair cemetery. Campbell Mortuary will have charge of the services.

Born May 16, 1908 in Elgin, Ill., Smith was educated in Osceola and also attended Hastings College. He had been a photographer and was associated with the International Harvester company before becoming manager of the Washington County FSA office five years ago. The family had resided in Torrington, Wyo., Omaha, Hastings, and Osceola.

Active in the Civil Air Patrol, Smith was a member, also, of the Lions’ Club and of the Blair Volunteer Fire Department.

Through his work as director of the county PSA office, Smith had made a large number of friends throughout Washington County.

Surviving Smith are his wife and three children, David, Jack and Lonne Kay; also his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Smith of Osceola; and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Richard Schweser of Oakland, Calif.; Everett, with the armed forces in Italy; Mrs. Louise Timm of Olympia, Wash.; and Mrs. Carl R. Johnson of Osceola, Nebr.

Considered one of Blair's best pilots, Smith had flown for several years. he waas one of the most enthusiastic fliers in this community and an ardent booster of the Blair Municipal airport. His untimely death was a regrettable accident and his presence in the community will be missed beyond measure.

C.A.A.'s VISIT SCENE

The scene of the accident was visited Wednesday by Civil Aeronautics Authorities from Omaha and Kansas City. No information has been released, however, concerning their investigation.