On Aug. 15, 1935, two of America’s most famous figures — humorist Will Rogers and aviation pioneer Wiley Post — were killed when their small plane crashed near Utqiaġvik, then known as Barrow.
Rogers, 55, was a celebrated writer, stage performer, and social commentator whose wit and wisdom made him one of the most beloved public figures of his era. Post, 36, was a record-setting pilot best known for being the first to fly solo around the world and for his high-altitude flight research.
The pair were on an aerial tour of Alaska in Post’s experimental Lockheed Orion-Explorer, which had been fitted with pontoons for water landings. On that foggy August afternoon, their plane went down just after takeoff from Walakpa Bay, a short distance southwest of Barrow.
The tragedy stunned the nation. Rogers was mourned as the country’s ambassador of good will. He had starred in over 70 films, wrote a syndicated newspaper column, and was a national figure for his sharp commentary on American life. At the time of his death, he was 55 and was at the height of his popularity.
Post was remembered as a fearless innovator in aviation. In Alaska, the crash site became a landmark, and both men are honored with memorials in Utqiaġvik.
Their final flight 90 years ago today is a memorable page in Alaska’s aviation history, in a state known for having the highest number of private planes per capita and more pilots per capita than any other state.