The reason why Captain Emilio Carranza decided to take off at night, and in the middle of a thunderstorm will never be fully understood. What we do know is that Captain Carranza was an experienced pilot and a dutiful military officer.

Captain Carranza took off from Roosevelt Field against the advice of Lieutenant Henry B. Clark, manager of the field and of the ground crew. "On the day he took off I pleaded with him not to go. I told him the weather was too bad and that it would be a miracle if he even got off the ground. As his was a government flight, we felt we could not directly stop him from going, but had it been a commercial flight, we never would have permitted the runway to be used on the night he took off."

Among the items found on him at the crash site was a telegram from a high ranking military officer in Mexico ordering him to depart immediately without "excuse or pretext". In issuing this order, the Mexican officer, suspected to be General Joaquin Amaro, essentially sent one of the best pilots Mexico had ever produced to his certain death.

Captain Emilio Carranza's death was mourned in flying circles and by officers of the US Government. Some of the tributes to Captain Carranza follow:

Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States in a message to President Calles of Mexico. "Will you kindly accept my most sincere expressions of sympathy on the great loss which Mexico has suffered in the death of one of her noblest sons. All of those who had the honor and pleasure of meeting Captain Emilio Carranza on his recent visit to Washington on the conclusion of his valiant and successful flight from Mexico City were impressed by his daring, modesty, and common sense. His courageous achievements will serve not only as an inspiration to Mexican aviation but to that of the United States as well. It is my earnest hope that Captain Carranza's aim, that his coming to the United States would serve to bind our two nations even more closely, will be fulfilled. I have offered to your Government through Ambassador Telles that the USS Florida should carry the remains of Captain Carranza to Mexico as a mark of this Government's recognition of his valiant services to the cause of international friendship."

Frank B. Kellogg, US Secretary of State in a message to Mr. Genaro Estrada, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. "Captain Carranza's death has come as a great shock to us all. Mrs. Kellogg and I were deeply impressed by his courage, high character and simplicity of manner and we shall always cherish our memories of him. Please accept the deepest sympathy of this Government, to which Mr. Kellogg and I add our expression of profound sorrow on Mexico's great loss. Captain Carranza will always be remembered in this country as one who successfully assisted in strengthening the bonds of friendship between our two nations."

Dwight F Davis, US Secretary of War, in a telegram sent to the Mexican Secretary of War and Marines, General Joaquin Amaro. "The deepest sympathy of the Army of the United States is extended to the Mexican Army on the sad fate of its intrepid airman Captain Emilio Carranza. His daring and skill have been an inspiration to all peoples. He joins that group of illustrious men, who have risked their lives for the development of the science of aeronautics."

Dwight W. Morrow, US Ambassador to Mexico. "I am greatly shocked. The people of the United States will share the sorrow of the people of Mexico over the death of this gallant officer. Although Captain Carranza's life was short, his achievements were great. His name has been added to that gallant band of young pioneers who have given their lives to the mastery of the air."

Rodrigo de Llano, Director of Excelsior, Mexico City newspaper which sponsored Captain Carranza's flight. "The death of Captain Carranza has shocked me beyond words. A few days ago when he told me he was ready to return to Mexico City and would attempt an non-stop flight, I advised him to be careful. I told him that he should not take any unnecessary risks, for he had already made a name for himself, but rather that he should return safely to Mexico City and devote his time there to furthering the development of aviation. He said then that his plans depended entirely on the weather conditions and on Thursday afternoon he telephoned to postpone his departure. I was not at the field when he left and was very surprised when I was told that he took off despite the storm that was raging. I deeply mourn his death and all Mexico will mourn the loss of one of her most daring and promising fliers."

Major General Hanson E. Ely, Commanding General at Governor's Island. "I am tremendously sorry to hear of the news of he death of the gallant young airman. I met him at Mitchel Field when he first arrived here and later he came over to Governor's Island and had lunch with me. I also met him at several other functions and had a good opportunity to know him. He was modest and unassuming and a fine young man in every way. I was very much drawn to him. He impressed me as wanting to do everything he could for his country and his flight from Mexico City here and the favorable impression he created here did much to further the friendship between the two nations."

Colonel Henry C. Pratt, U.S. Air Service Commanding Officer at Mitchel Field. "We had the pleasure of welcoming Captain Carranza on his arrival here and we saw a great deal of him while he was in New York. He was a credit to his country and his branch of the service, a capable and careful flyer and a modest young gentleman. While Mexico will mourn the loss of its leading airman, we here at Mitchel Field mourn the loss of a young man we had learned to like and respect an who had virtually become one of ourselves. Captain Carranza was entertained at our mess and in our homes and spent considerable time on the post, and officers and men alike could not help but having the greatest admiration for him."

Colonel Campbell B. Hodges, Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point. "Captain Carranza visited the Academy to present a picture of the Mexican Military Academy, and in the absence of Major General William R. Smith, the Superintendent, I had the honor of extending the welcome of the Academy to him. He reviewed the cadets and afterward most of the staff had the pleasure of meeting him. Everyone liked him and it was indeed a pleasure to have the opportunity of knowing such a fine young man. He impressed many of us as being typical of the kind of young men we have at the Academy and his country has indeed suffered a deep loss by the untimely end to such a promising career."

Miss Amelia Earhart, first woman to fly across the Atlantic. "I am deeply shocked at the news of the death of Captain Carranza. No loss among army aviators could be more regretted. He was known as a magnificent flier, and it seems to me that his death is a very great loss to aviation."

Commander Richard E. Byrd, "All aviation grieves with Mexico at the loss of this great pilot. He cannot be replace and his name is added to the long list of pioneers who have done so much to advance aviation and built up good-will between nations."

Arthur Goebel, winner of the San Francisco-Honolulu race. "To meet Captain Carranza was to like him; to see him fly was to recognize him as a great pilot. The hand of Fate took a great man."

Clarence D. Chamberlin, transatlantic flier. "I met Captain Carranza the day he landed at Mitchel Field and in the short time that he was there I learned to like him and appreciate him. Mexico and Latin-America have lost their brilliant aviator."

Major General John F O'Ryan, war-time commander of the Twenty-seventh (New York) Division. "I am shocked to hear this sad news. He was an inspiration to Mexico, as Lindbergh was to the United States. His mission of good-will completed, he was returning to his home people. Mexico and aviation will have the sympathy of the world."

Charles L. Lawrence, President, Wright Aeronautical Corporation, makers of the engine with which Captain Carranza's plane was equipped. "Captain Carranza's death is one of the greatest losses to aviation in recent years. We of the flying fraternity will never forget the fortitude, skill and delightful good-fellowship he displayed while in the United States. The silver threads of international understanding were further formed into a harmonious pattern of peace and goodwill by his brilliant achievements. Through flying - as in no other way- have the hearts and eyes of this nation been brought to feel and see the true spirit of Mexico as exemplified in this fine young man."

Harry Guggenheim. "I am greatly distressed at this sad news. Captain Carranza spent two days with us here at Port Washington but a short while ago, when I had an opportunity to appreciate his great worth. He was a splendid, modest, courageous gentleman, who has given his life to further the friendly relations between Mexico and our country. May his heroic death be an everlasting inspiration for good-will between his country and ours."

Sherman Fairchild, President of the Fairchild Aviation Corporation. "It was a shock to me when I heard of Captain Carranza's death. In meeting him I was impressed with his modesty and his accurate knowledge of aviation. By his recent flight he had inspired the people of Mexico to a realization of the importance of aviation. America's aviation has lost a real flying friend from below the Rio Grande."

In stark contrast to the tone of the tributes from fellow military aviators and government officials of the United States, the President of Mexico, Plutarco Elias Calles issued the following statement: "With all my heart I lament the tragedy of Captain Emilio Carranza which I attribute to fate and the fury of the elements. The Mexican Government, with absolute confidence in the skill of its aviator-pilots, has faith that Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Fierro will successfully fly from Mexico City to Havana."