It was intended to bring as much publicity to the city as the Spirit of St. Louis did earlier in the year with Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic crossing.

Dallas Spirit was one of these unlucky entrants, returning shortly after the first attempt with six feet of fabric torn from the side, blamed on a misaligned access panel under the navigator.

The abrupt signal loss in the middle of the call occurred as the plane crashed into the ocean about 650 miles west of Oakland.

[7][8] On 27 October 1927, a silver piece of aileron was found washed ashore at Redondo Beach, California, which was thought to have come from the lost ship.

"Discovery of a number, 43449-10, stamped in indelible ink upon two wooden inner ribs, upon the wing, lent hope that it might be possible to trace it to its origin.

[9] Dallas Spirit was built on credit with the promise of the Swallow Airplane Company receiving some of the prize money.