Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame

Declaration of Enshrinement

November 7, 2012

Randall T. Henderson

On May 7, 1920, Randall T. Henderson took off from Blythe, California in a Curtis “Jenny” biplane and headed toward Las Vegas. He refueled twice, the last second time in Needles, California, and then after which he flew along the Colorado River to Searchlight, Nevada and then followed the Arrowhead trail to Las Vegas where he made the first “bombing run” on Las Vegas. Las Vegas was, at the time, just was a small watering stop with a population of 2,300 on the Union Pacific rail line.

Henderson then landed his plane near the Los Angeles Highway and set up in a nearby field where for three days he offered rides for paying customers. One taker fainted from the dizzying heights and nearly caused the plane to crash crashed the plane when he collapsed on his control stick and sent brought the plane diving toward the earth. Fortunately, the Curtis Jenny was a trainer plane with control sticks in both the front and rear cockpits, so with some skillful maneuvering, Henderson, with some intricate maneuvering, freed up the controls, and made a safe landing.

For being the first person to fly a plane into Las Vegas, Randall T. Henderson earned his place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame.

___________________________________

TD BARNES, Executive Director

Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame