Enrico Massi (Naples, Italy, October 29, 1897 - Soyapango, El Salvador, October 4, 1923) was an Italian aviator. He is considered a pioneer of aviation in El Salvador.

Enrico Massi
Born
Enrico Massi

(1897-10-29)October 29, 1897
DiedOctober 4, 1923(1923-10-04) (aged 25)

Biography edit

His parents were Augusto Massi and Carlota Pascarella. In World War I he was a pilot and flight instructor for the Italian Royal Navy, and after the conflict, he worked as a test pilot in the Monte Celio experiment field. Later he made acrobatic presentations in Africa and Asia with Mario D´Urso, and in 1922 he was hired by Fiat S.p.A. again as a test pilot.[1] In same year he arrived in the American continent along with other Italians at the invitation of the Honduran government, to form an aviation school, but this objective was not met.[2]

On October 4, 1923, he was conducting an instruction flight with Juan Ramón Munés in a Caudron G.3, but the device suffered engine failures that caused his fall and the death at 11:30 in the Venice farm Soyapango.[3] He was buried with all the honors, and a national mourning was decreed in the country.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Flotilla Aérea: Enrico Massi, pionero de la Aviación Salvadoreña
  2. ^ "Los Pilotos Extranjeros en Honduras (1921-24)". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  3. ^ La Prensa Gráfica: En la memoria de los cielos
  4. ^ El Diario de Hoy: Historia aérea salvadoreña