10. Despite its legendary accomplishment the Flyer I only ever flew on December 17, 1903, being heavily damaged in winds and retired by the Wright Brothers
In the course of the last flight by Wilbur on December 17, as noted by Orville “the frame supporting the front rudder was badly broken, but the main part of the machine was not injured at all. We estimated that the machine could be put in a condition for flight again in about a day or two”. Hoping to repair the front elevator supports, with the goal of a four-mile flight to Kitty Hawk village, a sudden gust of wind lifted up and flipped the aircraft. Despite the efforts of those present to hold the aircraft down, it was overturned multiple times, suffering critical damage and rendered beyond quick repair.
Instead of engaging in prolonged repairs on their legendary machine, the Wright Brothers decided to refine their creation with a mind towards achieving fully controllable flight. Their Flyer II accomplished this goal in 1904, making 105 flights, including some lasting in excess of five minutes and capable of turning in full circles. This design was improved further with the Flyer III, constructed over the winter of 1904-1905, in which Wilbur successfully completed a 39-minute circling flight traveling a distance of 24-mile on October 5, 1905.