It is also possible that the dive a

It is also possible that the dive actually allowed the Wright C to gain enough speed to right itself before impacting the ground. “When a machine of this type acquires excessive speed due to gravity,” Orville once explained to Mr. Israel Ludlow, a prominent movie producer, “the center of gravity and the center of momentum being below the center of resistance causes the machine to right itself instead of pointing downward.”87 Perhaps a fortunate combination of the two saved Arnold and Sands from certain death, but the experience staggered Arnold’s confidence in his plane and his flying. And, according to the Wright brothers, these were the elements essential to survival as a pilot.88