Flight tests of the full sized MC-1, (registered to the Albert Criz company on 19 July 1943 as NX21757), commenced at March Field, California on 11 September 1943, but tragedy struck on a demonstration flight with Richard Chichester du Pont, special assistant to Gen Arnold; Col Ernest Gabel, another glider specialist on the staff of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and C. C. Chandler, thrice soaring champion aboard. <br />Inadequately secured ballast came loose when the glider flew through the Lockheed C-60 glider tug's propwash, causing a catastrophic rearward shift in the centre of gravity. The uncontrollable MC-1A released from tow and entered a flat spin which it didn't recover from. <br />Three of the crew and passengers jumped over board but only two survived the parachute jump.
