Tom Benoist 100 Years -- June 14, 2017

[The Reinhardt N. Ausmus Collection, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center]

Thomas W Benoist of Saint Louis was a pioneering aviator who founded the Benoist Aircraft Company in 1911.  In 1914, two Benoist Type XIV flying boats carried passengers from Saint Petersburg to Tampa, Florida for the first scheduled airline.   

100 years ago today, on 14-June, 1917, Benoist stepped off of streetcar in Sandusky, Ohio.  He fell, hit his head and died.  The Benoist Aircraft Company went out of business in 1918.  

From the Topeka State Journal, 15-June-1917. 

DAREDEVIL AVIATOR KILLED BY A 3-FOOT FALL OFF STRUCTURE

Sandusky, O., June 15. -- The body of Tom Benoist, 37, pioneer aviator and head of the Benoist Airplane company, was shipped to Ironton, Mo., this afternoon for burial.  Tho accustomed to daring flights, Benoist was killed in a three-foot fall from the running board of a streetcar. His skull was fractured.