Photographs showing Pilcher ready to start and in mid flight on his invention the Gliding machine. On 30th September 1899, the weather was wet and stormy, not to disappoint onlookers and potential sponsors he decided to make the flight at 4 pm. Whilst flying, the tail snapped and Pilcher plunged 10 metres (30 ft) to the ground, he died two days later from his injuries. Date: 30 September 1899