The Roma began a trip to test the new power plants at Langley Field, Va., on Feb. 21, 1922. It was cold and overcast as the crew of 45 men flew, the nose had started to buckle not long after leaving the field and observers at the air station watched in horror as the elevator in the stern slipped out of place. With its controls jammed, the Roma crashed at the Army’s Quartermaster Depot outside Norfolk, struck high-voltage wires and blew apart. (U.S. Air Force photo)