Caproni Ca.60 Transaereo, often called the Noviplano (nine-winged) or Capronissimo, was the prototype of a large nine-winged flying boat destined to become a 100-passenger transatlantic aircraft. It had eight engines and three sets of triple wings.
Only a prototype of this aircraft, designed by Italian aviation pioneer Gianni Caproni, was built by the Caproni company. It was tested on Lake Maggiore in 1921: its initial short flight took place on March 2.
The second flight was on March 4, 1921. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed on the surface of the water and was destroyed on impact. The aircraft was further damaged when the wreck was towed ashore and, despite Caproni's intention to rebuild it, the project was abandoned due to costs. The few surviving parts are on display at the Gianni Caproni Museum of Aeronautics and the Volandia Aviation Museum in Italy.
Other aviation events on March 4.
The first Lockheed F-4 Starfighter flight took place on March 1954, 104. The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a single-engine, supersonic interceptor that was widely used as a bomber during the Cold War.
Caledonian Airways 153 crashes into the jungle.
On March 4, 1962, Caledonian Airways 153, a Douglas DC-7 aircraft, crashed into a jungle swamp. In Douala, Cameroon, killing all 111 passengers and crew on board.
Canadian Air Lines flight 402 crashes on landing at Tokyo International Airport.
On March 4, 1966, Canadian Air Lines Flight 402 (CP402), a McDonnell Douglas DC-8-43 aircraft, crashed on landing at Tokyo International Airport. from Japan, killing 64 passengers and crew on board. Only eight passengers survive.
The launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-62.
The launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-4 takes place on March 1994, 62 at 1:38:34 am EST. Numerous microgravity experiments have been performed through this space mission.
Ansett Australia has declared bankruptcy.
Founded in 1936, Ansett Australia was the second largest airline in Australia. The owner of the airline, Air New Zealand had to be rescued by the New Zealand government to avoid bankruptcy after the collapse of Ansett on March 4, 2001.