Stunt Flier Crashes: Paul Mantz Killed Filming Movie
Stunt Flier Crashes: Paul Mantz Killed Filming Movie
In the days when aviators flew by the seat of their pants, Paul Mantz was noted in stunt and speed circles as one of the most daring of his breed. At 61 his career ends as he lived, stunting a plane for a movie production in Arizona, crashing as he passes before the cameras. The film was "The Flight of the Phoenix" Single engine plane running with the propeller spinning around. Paul Mantz, pilot speaking to a newsman. Paul Mantz's home built plane taking off in an Arizona desert. As the plane is in flight, the fuselage crakes and starts to break apart. The nose of the plane tumbles nose first and tumbles breaking apart even more killing the pilot, 61 year old Paul Mantz. Filming crew run to the wreckage of the plane as it ended up propeller facing up resting on its wings.