Argentinean Trailblazer: Carolina Elena Lorenzini
Argentine Aviatrix Carolina Elena Lorenzini Meets Tragic End During Aerial Acrobatics Show
Carolina Elena Lorenzini, a pioneering Argentine aviator and the first woman to obtain the title of flight instructor in South America, met her untimely demise on November 23, 1941, during an aerial acrobatics show.
Born on August 15, 1899, in San Vicente, a province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Lorenzini's passion for adventure was evident from a young age. She excelled in various sports such as horse riding, rowing, athletics, jumping, javelin, and hockey.
Lorenzini's life took a dramatic turn when she obtained her civil aviator pilot license in 1933. This marked the beginning of her illustrious career in aviation. She became a member of the Argentinian Aviation Community in 1931 and went on to break several altitude records in South America.
On March 31, 1935, Lorenzini set a new South American female height record, reaching 5,381 meters, in an Ae C-3 closed-cabin aircraft. In 1936, she crossed the Río de la Plata in a solo flight, earning the nickname "gaucho dove" due to her custom of wearing boots and a leather jacket.
Lorenzini's life was not without its share of daring feats. She was the first woman to drive a car through the streets of Korn. In 1940, she fulfilled a flight throughout 14 Argentine provinces.
On the fateful day of her death, Lorenzini was performing an acrobatics exhibition in honor of a delegation of Uruguayan aviators. The plane crash occurred in Morón, Argentina, at approximately 4 p.m. on a Sunday. Reports suggest that the crash happened while Lorenzini was performing a looping maneuver, and there were issues in the descending phase of the flight before the crash.
Despite her tragic end, Lorenzini's memory remains alive among Argentinians. Streets in many cities in Argentina are named after her. Her contributions to early Argentine aviation history and her role in breaking barriers for women pilots in the region have not been forgotten.
Lorenzini had stated that she did not want to die charred. Unfortunately, her wish was not granted. However, her legacy lives on, inspiring generations of aviators and adventurers to come.
Despite her passion for sports and her success in various disciplines, Lorenzini found her true calling in aviation, becoming a pioneer in the field. Ironically, her life ended during a sports-themed event, an aerial acrobatics show, a stark reminder of the risks that early aviation pioneers often faced.
