Page 27 - January 2022

to find Walter Beech. Based on Art’s recommendations, Beech ordered workers to enlarge the side windows and lower the seat position further, hoping a “quick fix” would suffice for Goebel to depart for New York City before sunset.
Undeterred, Goebel took off and headed east toward St. Louis, Missouri. In the gathering darkness he searched in vain for Scott Field where he hoped to pause for the night. Flying blind with near zero forward visibility, as darkness enveloped the airplane Art realized he was
dealing with an airborne version of Russian roulette; he knew nothing of what lay ahead of him. Moments later he spotted lights at another airport and, despite having no landing lights in the dark of night, he landed safely but the “Woolaroc” struck a ditch that Art could not see. The airplane lurched one way then another before coming to an abrupt stop.
The landing gear on one side was damaged, but repairs were made and three days later he departed, not eastward toward New York but westward toward Travel Air Field.
JANUARY 2022
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 25
On Nov. 24, 1928, Walter Beech (far left) and Art Goebel (in flying suit) posed with a group of local pilots and the reborn “Woolaroc” before Goebel departed for St. Louis, Missouri. The monoplane quickly proved to be too dangerous to fly safely, chiefly due to the aft cockpit location that severely limited forward visibility for the pilot. (Courtesy Mary Lynn Oliver)