Douglas Corrigan is remembered as a thoroughly unorthodox and daring pilot—one who achieved his dream of making a transatlantic flight, despite official disapproval and incredible odds

This is possibly one of the drollest stories to have emerged in over a century of aviation. How did an experienced cross-country pilot get airborne from New York, bound overland for California, instead traverse the Atlantic and reach Ireland? According to him, it was simple human error. He read the compass wrong, mistaking the tail of the pointer for the head.

Douglas Corrigan was born in Galveston, Texas, on January 22, 1907. His first flight at the age of 18 captivated him and he signed up for flying lessons. An apt student, he soon became a proficient pilot. He took 20 flights to complete his first solo on March 25, 1926—which he latter called the most important day of his life. Besides flying he was an expert technician and was intimately involved in the construction of Charles Lindbergh’s famous Spirit of St Louis. When Lindbergh flew safely across the Atlantic to Paris, Corrigan vowed that some day he would replicate the pioneering feat. Being Irish American, Ireland was naturally his dream destination.

In 1933, Corrigan acquired a ramshackle old aeroplane for $325 (Rs. 14,625). He installed his own homemade engine built from two other old engines, plus extra fuel tanks. Over the next few years he made several flights across the US. In 1935, he applied for permission to fly from New York to Ireland, but his aircraft was deemed unreliable for a non-stop transatlantic trip. Corrigan made repeated modifications and reapplications for permission but none succeeded. Indeed, in 1937, his beloved plane was officially grounded for some months because it was judged too unstable. Later, his autobiography expressed his utter frustration with obstinate officialdom.

In July 1938, Corrigan left California for New York. During the flight, leaking fuel filled the cockpit with fumes. In New York he investigated the leak, but felt it would take him too long to remove the tank and make repairs. He was raring to go. His flight plan was filed—New York to California. He was asked to take off in an easterly direction, then at a safe height turn to his designated westerly course for California. He took off at 5:15 a.m. on July 17, 1938, with full fuel tanks, two chocolate bars, two boxes of fig bars, and a litre of drinking water. The only map he had was of the USA, the plane had no radio, and his heart pointed east.