Dick Grace

Richard Virgil Grace (October 1, 1898 – June 25, 1965), known as Dick Grace, was an American stunt pilot who specialized in crashing planes for films. Films that he appeared in include ''Sky Bride'', ''The Lost Squadron'', ''Lilac Time'', and the first Best Picture Oscar winner ''Wings''.

He served in both world wars, bombing Germany, as a B-17 Flying Fortress co-pilot with the 486th Bombardment Group. After the Second World War, he operated a charter business in South America. He was married to Crystine Francis Malstrom, a stage actress who appeared in ''Abie's Irish Rose''. He was the author of several books, including ''Squadron of Death'', ''Crash Pilot'', ''I Am Still Alive,'' and ''Visibility Unlimited''.

Grace sustained a serious neck injury when he fell out of the cockpit during the filming of ''Wings''. But he made a full recovery and was one of the few stunt pilots of his day who died of natural causes. Provided by Wikipedia