95 Years Ago, 2 Veterans Completed The World’s First Nonstop Flight Over the Pacific for a $25,000 Prize

In 1931, aviation history was made by two daring American pilots who took on the challenge of a nonstop flight from Japan to the continental United States. Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon Jr. embarked on this ambitious journey, driven by the promise of a large monetary prize and their own adventurous spirits. The stakes were high and the aircraft featured no radio, life raft, or other necessary emergency provisions.

The quest for this significant achievement began with a prior attempt to set a record for the fastest flight around the world. On July 28, 1931, Pangborn, who had a reputation for performing aerial stunts during World War I, teamed up with veteran Herndon to embark from Roosevelt Field in New York. Their goal was to break a previous record of eight days, 15 hours and 51 minutes. However, the expedition took an unexpected turn when poor navigation over Mongolia and subsequent adverse weather conditions in Siberia forced them to abandon the mission.

Despite the setback, the pilots quickly learned of a new opportunity when a Tokyo newspaper announced a reward of $25,000 for the first nonstop flight from Japan to the continental United States. Excited by this chance, Pangborn and Herndon travelled to Japan, only to find themselves in a precarious situation. Upon their arrival at Tachikawa Airport, the duo was detained on suspicions of espionage. The situation escalated until the U.S. State Department intervened, allowing the pilots to secure their release after each paid a fine of about $1,000.

Upon their release, the aviators received support from local Japanese aviation enthusiasts who were impressed by their ambitions. With their assistance, the pilots made significant modifications to their Bellanca CH-400 aircraft, known as ‘Miss Veedol’. Enhancements included installing a larger fuel tank and adjusting the landing gear, which was designed to be dropped mid-flight in order to lessen the aircraft’s weight and drag.

As the runway in Tokyo was deemed too short for a fully loaded takeoff, Pangborn and Herndon relocated the aircraft to Misawa village, specifically Sabishiro Beach. On October 3, 1931, the beach became a makeshift runway teeming with spectators eager to witness this historic launch. With great skill, Pangborn lifted Miss Veedol into the skies, setting course for the United States.

About three hours into the flight, the pilots successfully jettisoned the wheels to reduce wind resistance; however, complications arose when the landing gear struts became stuck. In a moment reflecting his former life as an aviation stuntman, Pangborn climbed onto the aircraft’s wing supports to free the stuck struts while maintaining control of the plane.

After an arduous journey of over 40 hours, the pilots finally neared Spokane, Washington. A thick fog obscured potential landing sites, and with fuel running low, they redirected towards East Wenatchee, a familiar airbase for Pangborn. In an impressive display of piloting, Pangborn made a near-perfect belly landing at around 7 a.m. on October 5, 1931, completing the flight in 41 hours and 15 minutes.

This remarkable feat earned the pair the acclaimed $25,000 prize from the Asahi Shimbun, the Tokyo newspaper that initiated the challenge. When adjusted for inflation, this prize amounts to more than $560,000 today. The achievement marked a milestone in aviation, showcasing the spirit of adventure and the drive for exploration during that era.

Further recognising his significant contributions, Pangborn was later awarded the Harmon Trophy by the Aviation League, a prestigious honour that represented the pinnacle of achievement in flight for the year 1931.

The journey of Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon Jr. not only highlighted human perseverance but also opened new horizons for commercial aviation. Their successful flight paved the way for future advancements in long-distance air travel and set the stage for the generations of aviators that followed.