Douglas Corrigan, American pilot and engineer (d. 1995)

Douglas Corrigan, an American aviator born on January 22, 1907, and passing away on December 9, 1995, gained international notoriety in 1938 with the enduring moniker "Wrong Way" Corrigan. This distinctive nickname was bestowed upon him following an incident that captivated the world and became a legendary tale in aviation history.

In July 1938, specifically on July 16-17, Corrigan embarked on what was initially planned as a routine transcontinental flight. He successfully piloted his Curtiss Robin OX-5 aircraft, bearing the registration number NX926, from Long Beach, California, to New York City, landing at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. However, it was his subsequent actions that cemented his place in history. Instead of adhering to his officially filed flight plan, which stipulated a return journey to Long Beach, Corrigan notoriously took off from Floyd Bennett Field on July 17 and, against all expectations, landed approximately 28 hours later, on July 18, at Baldonnel Aerodrome in Dublin, Ireland.

Upon his unexpected arrival in Ireland, Douglas Corrigan famously asserted that his unauthorized transatlantic flight was merely the result of a significant navigational error. He attributed this critical mistake to extremely challenging flying conditions, specifically heavy cloud cover that completely obscured ground landmarks and poor visibility due to low-light conditions. According to his official statement, these factors combined to cause him to misread his compass, leading him inadvertently across the Atlantic Ocean instead of back across the American continent.

However, the prevailing sentiment among aviation authorities and the public cast serious doubt on Corrigan's explanation. This skepticism stemmed from his considerable background and proven expertise in aviation. Corrigan was not just a pilot; he was an exceptionally skilled aircraft mechanic with a deep understanding of aeronautical engineering. Notably, he had played a crucial role in the construction of Charles Lindbergh's iconic "Spirit of St. Louis," the very aircraft that completed the first solo transatlantic flight in 1927. Furthermore, it was widely known that Corrigan had made several significant modifications to his own Curtiss Robin. These enhancements, including the installation of additional fuel tanks that boosted his fuel capacity to an impressive 320 gallons, were precisely the kind of preparations required for a long-distance, nonstop transatlantic journey, not a domestic return flight.

The context surrounding his flight further fueled the belief that his "navigational error" was a deliberate act. Prior to this famous incident, Douglas Corrigan had repeatedly sought and been denied official permission from the Bureau of Air Commerce to undertake a nonstop flight from New York to Ireland. These denials were typically based on concerns regarding the safety of his aircraft and his lack of adequate sponsorship or appropriate equipment for such a hazardous undertaking. Given these previous rejections and the meticulous preparations he had clearly made to his plane, his sudden appearance in Ireland was widely interpreted as a wilful disregard for regulations and a determined effort to achieve his long-held ambition. Despite the overwhelming evidence and public perception, Corrigan steadfastly maintained his story, never publicly admitting that he had intentionally flown to Ireland.

Upon his eventual return to the United States, Douglas Corrigan was greeted not with severe punishment, but with an overwhelming public embrace. His audacious flight transformed him into an instant folk hero, celebrated with ticker-tape parades and immense public adoration, despite the initial suspension of his pilot's license for a mere 14 days by aviation authorities. He subsequently capitalized on his fame, authoring a book detailing his adventures and even starring in a film titled "The Flying Irishman." Corrigan's legacy remains that of a daring, resourceful, and enigmatic figure who artfully circumvented official restrictions to fulfill an extraordinary dream, forever etching his "wrong way" journey into the annals of aviation history.

Frequently Asked Questions about "Wrong Way" Corrigan

When did Douglas Corrigan make his famous "Wrong Way" flight?

Douglas Corrigan made his legendary transatlantic flight from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York, to Baldonnel Aerodrome in Dublin, Ireland, on July 17-18, 1938.

What type of aircraft did Douglas Corrigan fly?

He flew a Curtiss Robin OX-5, a single-engine monoplane, which he had significantly modified by adding extra fuel tanks to extend its range for long-distance flying.

Why was Douglas Corrigan called "Wrong Way" Corrigan?

He earned the nickname "Wrong Way" because he claimed to have accidentally flown across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland after intending to fly back to Long Beach, California, following a transcontinental flight. This "navigational error" was widely believed to be a deliberate act to achieve a flight he had been denied permission for.

Was Douglas Corrigan punished for his unauthorized flight?

While his pilot's license was briefly suspended for 14 days by the Bureau of Air Commerce, his immense public popularity and status as a folk hero meant he faced relatively minor official repercussions. He was widely celebrated with parades and public acclaim rather than being severely reprimanded.

Did Douglas Corrigan ever admit his flight was intentional?

No, Douglas Corrigan consistently maintained that his transatlantic flight was the result of a genuine navigational error caused by poor visibility and a misread compass. He never publicly admitted to having flown to Ireland on purpose, sticking to his original explanation throughout his life.