October 26, 1955 Aeronca 7AC Champion Bank of America Los Angeles, CA (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES)
The Aeronca Champion, more commonly known as the Champ, is a single-engine, two-seat, fixed conventional gear airplane.
Originally designed for flight training and personal use, it entered production in the United States in 1945.
Benjamin Fauth, age 28 was employed by Bank of America (LAX Branch) as a Trainee Bank Teller. Due to poor performance, he was terminated after two weeks on the job.
Mr. Fauth was also a former Air Force lieutenant and a licensed commercial pilot.
When told by his supervisor that he needed to look for a job elsewhere. Fauth replied with a laugh "Thats OK I don't think I wanted this kind of a job anyway and I've already applied for an airline job"
The day after being dismissed from his job at the bank, Mr. Fauth rented an Aeronca 7AC Champion (N82081) from Universal Flyers at nearby Hawthorne Airport and flew it to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Tower controllers at LAX watched as Mr. Fauth circled the field several times without making any radio calls.
At first they thought the pilot had an emergency of some kind but then the plane suddenly began a dive for the bank building.
The plane slammed through the window and wall narrowly missing the two construction workers in white coveralls on the right.
Even though the plane crashed into part of the bank that was being renovated, it was amazing no one else was injured or killed.
The fabric and tube frame aircraft was shredded as it passed through the three foot square window.
Mr. Fauth was killed instantly by the impact. Fortunately for those inside the building there was no explosion or fire.
Mr. Fauth was found by police and fireman still strapped in his seat wearing the seatbelt.
It is unclear why Mr. Fauth even bothered to wear his seat belt considering his intentions.
Many questions will never be answered by this senseless act.
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