 Dole Air Race movie reel (Prelinger Archives) | |
| Date | August 1927 |
|---|---|
| Location | United States |
| Type | Air racing |
| Outcome | Two aircraft completed the race |
| Casualties | |
| 10 deaths | |
The Dole Air Race, also known as the Dole Derby, was an air race across the Pacific Ocean from Oakland, California, to Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii held in August 1927 that resulted in several deaths.
There were eighteen official and unofficial entrants; of them fifteen officially drew for starting positions, and of those fifteen, two were disqualified, two withdrew, and three aircraft crashed resulting in three deaths before the race. Eight aircraft eventually started the race on August 16. Only two successfully arrived in Hawaii; Woolaroc, a Travel Air 5000 piloted by Arthur C. Goebel and William V. Davis, arrived after a 26 hour, 15 minute flight, leading runner-up Aloha by two hours.
Of the other six aircraft, two had crashed on takeoff, two were forced to return for repairs, and two went missing during the race (Golden Eagle and Miss Doran). One of the aircraft that was repaired took off again to search for the missing aircraft several days later but also vanished over the sea (Dallas Spirit). In all, before, during, and after the race, ten people died and six airplanes were lost or damaged beyond repair.