Ralph Greenley Johnstone (September 18, 1880 – November 17, 1910) was the first American person to die while piloting an airplane that crashed.

[1] Johnstone started as a vaudeville trick bicycle rider who performed a midair forward somersault.

[5] During the flight, a gust of wind forced him to fly backwards, and he landed near Artist Lake in Middle Island, New York.

Not properly repaired, the wing collapsed during his next high altitude flight, and Johnstone plunged to his death in full view of the crowd.

On the ground Ralph was pals with Hoxsey and rival Curtiss team member Eugene Ely.