LOCAL AVIATOR DIES IN CHINA
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Paul Baer Killed as Plane Hits Mast of Junk On River
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Paul Baer, 36, formerly Department of Commerce aeronautics inspector stationed here, died in an airplane crash, at Shanghai, China, Tuesday.
He was here in 1927 and 1928. He also visited here in 1929 and had many friends in the city.
Baer was killed when the amphibian plane which he was flying struck the mast of a Chinese junk on the Yangtze River as he was taking off. A Russian woman passenger also was killed. Baer had been working for the China National Aviation Corporation, owner of the plane, only two months, according to an Associated Press dispatch telling of the crash.
According to J. Wayne Parks, manager of Winburn Field, Baer was an excellent pilot, having obtained his training in a French flying school during the World War as a member of the famous Lafayette Escadrille. He had been actively engaged in commercial flying the past 12 years.
Baer was assigned here to take the place of "Shorty" Cramer as Commerce Department inspector. Cramer was lost in Greenland on an Arctic flight in 1927. From here Baer went to South America, where he was employed as a commercial pilot, remaining there about a year.
A. T. Phelps, 128 West Evergreen Street, architect, said Baer was a frequent visitor at their home while here. Phelps' son, A. T. Jr., was at that time employed as a pilot here but later went to Vera Cruz as a pilot for the Pan-American Airways. He is returning home this week with his bride on a honeymoon trip. Baer visited at their home in 1929.
Baer was a native of Fort Wayne, Ind. An airport in his native State bears his name.
Parks estimated that Baer had more than 3,500 flying hours to his credit. He said he had never heard of Baer having had a previous accident.
San Antonio Express (San Antonio, Texas) - Wednesday, December 10, 1930
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