Wrong Way Corrigan Day

Wrong Way Corrigan Day commemorates one of aviation history's most legendary “accidents.” On July 17, 1938, American aviator Douglas Corrigan took off from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York, supposedly heading for Long Beach, California. Instead, he landed 28 hours later in Dublin, Ireland—earning him the nickname “Wrong Way” and international fame.

The Foundational Catalyst

Douglas Corrigan grew up in an era of pioneering flight. He worked as an aircraft mechanic and helped build Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. His dream was to fly across the Atlantic, but U.S. aviation authorities repeatedly denied his request for a nonstop transatlantic flight due to safety concerns. Frustrated, Corrigan decided to undertake what he later claimed was a navigational error.

The Flight of 1938

Corrigan flew a 1929 Curtiss Robin monoplane named “Sunshine.” He stripped the aircraft of nonessential weight, added extra fuel tanks, and took off with only a compass, a sandwich, and a bottle of water. Upon arriving in Ireland, he said, “I just got off course.” The press and public embraced the story, celebrating him as a folk hero. The U.S. Bureau of Air Commerce gave him a mild reprimand for violating flight rules but allowed him to keep his license.

Modern Global Legacy

Wrong Way Corrigan Day has been observed informally since 1939, often by aviation enthusiasts and historians. It has grown into a day celebrating perseverance, daring, and the occasional happy accident. Museums, airfields, and educational programs use the day to highlight the history of aviation navigation and the spirit of adventure.

Celebrating Wrong Way Corrigan Day is about embracing adventure, learning from mistakes, and honoring aviation history. Here are actionable strategies for individuals, schools, and organizations:

For Individuals

• Read about Corrigan's flight: Pick up a biography or watch documentary footage of his journey.
• Visit an aviation museum: Many museums have exhibits on pioneering flights; ask about Corrigan's plane or similar vintage aircraft.
• Try a navigation challenge: Use a map and compass to plot a course—and intentionally take a wrong turn to see where you end up.
• Host a movie night: Watch films about historic flights or classic aviation movies.

For Schools & Educational Groups

1. Lesson plan: Teach students about Corrigan's flight, the science of navigation, and the importance of perseverance.
2. Paper airplane contest: Have students design planes that fly the furthest—or deliberately go “the wrong way.”
3. Guest speaker: Invite a pilot or aviation historian to share stories about navigation errors and how they corrected course.

For Organizations & Companies

• Team-building exercise: Map out a “deliberately wrong” route to an offsite location, encouraging creative problem-solving.
• Aviation-themed party: Decorate with vintage flight maps, model planes, and serve “irish coffee” in honor of his destination.
• Donate to aviation charities: Support organizations that preserve historic aircraft or train future pilots.

Douglas Corrigan's plane was a 1929 Curtiss Robin (Model B) named “Sunshine.” It was a high-wing monoplane with a single engine, originally designed for passenger transport. Corrigan purchased it secondhand for $310 (about $6,000 today).

Modifications for the Flight

• Fuel tanks: Added extra fuel capacity, bringing total to 300 gallons—over five times the original.
• Weight reduction: Removed passenger seats, radio, brakes (to save weight and space), and even the windshield.
• Engine upgrade: Replaced the original 90-horsepower engine with a 165-horsepower Wright Whirlwind J-6-5.

After the Flight

The “Sunshine” was displayed in various places after Corrigan's trip. Today, it is housed at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The aircraft remains a symbol of daring ingenuity and the willingness to take risks.

The flight from New York to Ireland spanned approximately 3,150 miles (5,070 km). Corrigan flew for 28 hours and 13 minutes, averaging about 110 mph. He used basic dead reckoning navigation with a compass and his watch.

Challenges Faced

• Weather: Encountered fog, rain, and strong winds off the coast of Newfoundland.
• Fuel starvation: Landed with only 15 gallons of fuel remaining.
• No radio: No contact with ground control during the entire flight.

Navigational Irony

Corrigan claimed he intended to fly west to California but his compass malfunctioned or he misread it. Many historians believe he deliberately planned the transatlantic flight and used the “error” story to avoid penalties. The U.S. Bureau of Air Commerce officially found him negligent but let him off with a warning.

Today, pilots and navigators study Corrigan's flight as a case study in emergency management and the limits of basic navigation.

After his famous flight, Douglas Corrigan became an instant celebrity. He appeared in newsreels, movies, and even a comic strip. He was invited to the White House and received a ticker-tape parade in New York City.

Return to California

Ironically, he eventually flew his plane to California—this time on purpose. He settled in Santa Ana, California, where he worked as an aircraft inspector for the U.S. Navy during World War II. He later entered the real estate business.

Legacy and Folk Hero Status

Corrigan's story entered American folklore as a symbol of the underdog who defied the system. The term “Wrong Way” entered the lexicon to describe someone who stubbornly goes the opposite direction. He published an autobiography, That's My Story, in 1938. He passed away on December 9, 1995, at the age of 88.

Today, his name is commemorated in aviation circles, and his flight remains a popular anecdote about determination and luck.

The Corrigan flight prompted changes in aviation regulations. Although he was not severely punished, the incident highlighted the need for stricter pre-flight checks and cross-Atlantic flight protocols.

Immediate Changes

• Fuel requirements: Airlines began requiring reserve fuel margins for long overwater flights.
• Communication mandates: Radio equipment became mandatory for transatlantic flights.
• Weather reporting: Improved weather forecasting and dissemination to pilots.

Long-Term Effects

Corrigan's flight also demonstrated the importance of pilot training in dead reckoning and emergency decision-making. It remains a cautionary tale about planning and the fine line between bravery and recklessness.