Extremely Brave Woman Jumps from Plane to Plane Mid-air to Change Landing Gear

In the 1920s, Gladys Ingle earned her place in aviation history as a daring member of the 13 Black Cats, a stunt team known for breathtaking aerial feats. Her most iconic moment came in 1926 when a wheel fell off Art Goebel’s bi-plane during an airshow. Rather than risk a crash, Ingle leapt into action—literally.

Carrying a spare wheel strapped to her back, she climbed from one bi-plane to another mid-flight. Balancing on the wing, she carefully descended to the landing gear, attached the new wheel, and climbed back up to safety. Her bravery saved both the plane and its pilot, leaving the stunned crowd in awe.

While her stunts may seem like scripted performances, contemporary accounts confirm this act was a genuine emergency.

Ingle’s unmatched skill and composure under pressure exemplified the bold spirit of barnstorming—a thrilling chapter in aviation’s early days.

Gladys Ingle performed hundreds of aerial transfers during her career, all without safety equipment, cementing her legacy as one of history’s most fearless aviators.