Otto Lilienthal flying one of his gliders, circa 1895.

Otto Lilienthal, a German engineer (1848-1896) was a pioneer of aviation,  making many test flights in gliders. He died in Berlin after a crash. On August 9, 1896, his glider No. 11 was struck by a sudden gust of wind and he lost control. Lilienthal broke his back and died the next day.