The Wingfoot Air Express, a dirigible operated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, was demonstrating the commercial viability of airships in Chicago when tragedy struck. The event was intended to display the capabilities of this new form of transportation to a gathering crowd below. However, a sudden change in wind conditions caught the crew off guard, causing the dirigible to lose control. The flight path led directly toward the Illinois Trust and Savings Building, where the dirigible struck the top floors of the skyscraper, igniting a fire that quickly consumed the airship and part of the building.

The impact resulted in the deaths of twelve people, including both passengers and individuals on the ground. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes as debris fell and emergency responders rushed to the scene. The media extensively covered the incident, and it raised significant public concern about the safety of air travel, particularly regarding dirigibles, which had been met with both excitement and skepticism as a potential future transport method.

In the aftermath, investigations determined the accident was primarily due to adverse weather conditions and the inherent risks associated with operating large airships. The incident raised crucial questions regarding airship design, navigation, and safety measures, prompting changes in regulations and operational protocols in the air transport industry.