The History: The wind blew from the southwest at 6-8 meters/second (13 1/2 -18 miles/hour).

The brothers prepared to test the engine and the propellers. Shafts were attached to the propellers and the engine drove [spun] the propellers.

They tried to start the engine unsuccessfully. The engines' magneto would not consistently create a spark large enough to ignite the gas in the engine. Since the engine only fired intermittently, this caused a strain on the propeller shafts and damaged them.

The Wrights estimated that it would be at least 10 days before they could get the shaft repaired and make another test.

Clearly the machine would not be ready to test and subsequently George Spratt decided to leave the camp and return home. He left for Manteo taking the shafts and a letter for Charlie Taylor, describing the repairs to be made. The parts and letter would be sent back to Dayton "express" for Charlie, the Wrights' chief bicycle shop mechanic, to fix.