Gladys Ingle - Female Daredevil Changes Airplane Tire Mid Flight in 1926

Gladys Ingle - Female Daredevil Changes Airplane Tire Mid Flight in 1926

In January 1926, Gladys Ingle, the only female member of Hollywood’s 13 Black Cats aerial daredevil stunt troop, performed an incredible feat: she changed a wheel on Art Goebel’s aircraft mid-flight. Here are the fascinating details:

The Stunt:
The aircraft involved were Curtiss JN-4 biplanes, which had an abundance of struts and wires, making them ideal for stunt-riders and wing-walkers.
Gladys Ingle earned her fearless reputation by changing planes in mid-air without a parachute or safety gear. Legend has it that she performed her wing-walking stunts hundreds of times.

In the video footage, a young and spry Gladys transferred from Bon McDougall’s airplane to Art Goebel’s airplane with no parachute or safety gear.

The meticulously planned stunt required precision and courage. Ingle would strap a spare wheel on her back and rendezvous with the “stricken” plane. Mid-air, she climbed to the top of the upper wing of the second plane and transferred to the bottom wing of the distressed plane. She then climbed down to the landing gear and installed the wheel.

This daring act was captured on film and remains a testament to her remarkable skills and fearlessness.

Legacy:
Gladys Ingle went on to live a long and healthy life, passing away in 1981 at the age of 82.
The 13 Black Cats, founded in 1924, performed together for five years. Their home base was the Burdett Airport in Southern California.
Casualties were commonplace in this dangerous field, where each death-defying performance put their lives on the line.
In 1927, parachutes became mandatory by law for aerial stunts and wing-walking.
Gladys Ingle’s mid-air wheel change remains an iconic moment in aviation history, showcasing her courage and skill.

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