Autogiro Pilot Ned D. Henderson

Autogiro Pilot Ned D. Henderson

United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government

End of Watch Sunday, November 18, 1945

Ned D. Henderson

Autogiro Pilot Ned D. Henderson was on duty flying near Sullivan City in Hidalgo County when the airplane caught on fire and Henderson attempted a forced landing. The airplane crashed into high power electric lines. Henderson was flying alone at the time of the crash. He was returning the same craft from San Antonio that he flew from Atlanta, Georgia, several months ago where it had been purchased as Army surplus property. He had more hours in an autogiro that any pilot in the United States. A physician's certificate indicates that Pilot Henderson suffered extensive burns about the face, neck, arms and legs; fracture of the right arm below the shoulder; and a deep cut across the forehead and right cheek. Death occurred at 1:30 a.m., Sunday, November 18, 1945, about 36 hours after the accident.

Henderson was survived by his wife, Lantie. He was buried in the Roselawn Cemetery in McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas.

Bio

Age 39
Tour 14 years, 11 months
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident
Location Texas
Incident Date Friday, November 16, 1945

Most Recent Reflection

View all 7 Reflections

My father was Joseph Claude Henderson and I remember his telling me of his and Ned's exploits on the farm they grew up on in Waco, TX. He also told me how he died when his gyro opted got caught in some high lines. I was about ten years old when he told me the stories but I never forgot them. Years later when I was about 19 years old I was working at the Tulsa, OK airport and happened to come across a couple of young Texas Border Patrolmen. I mentioned my Uncle Ned to them and they said they had read about him in school!

Claudia Seversen
Niece

May 13, 2016