Wings in the Dark

Sheila Mason is drawn to ace pilot Ken Gordon during the bustling barnstorming circuit. Ken is consumed with perfecting an autopilot for instrument flying, a project he has funded by mortgaging his aircraft. Their immediate attraction hints at a shared future even as they pursue very different paths.

Ken dedicates four years to perfecting his instrument-flying autopilot, risking everything on the gamble that it will change aviation. He mortgaged his aircraft to finance the experiments and pursue his dream. But a stove accident blinds him just as he is about to prove the invention.

The stove accident blinds Ken, forcing him to retreat from flying and public life. His world narrows to recuperation and writing articles at home. Mac, his friend, steps in to help him cope.

Mac brings Lightning, a seeing-eye dog, to help Ken navigate his house and regain some independence. Ken begins to adapt and fills his days with aviation articles, though many are rejected by editors. The routine keeps him connected to flight even as his sight is gone.

Sheila has fallen in love with Ken and plans to support him by arranging dangerous stunts through her manager, Nick Williams. She provides him money to survive while his aviation articles languish and are typically rejected. Her efforts keep him tethered to life while he works to rebuild his career.

Ken regains his confidence and continues to work on the autopilot, determined to prove his invention. But the Rockwell Aviation Company repossesses his aircraft, cutting him off from the project.

Sheila announces a bold plan to fly solo from Moscow to New York to win $25,000 and secure a future with Ken. Her determination to prove herself and marry Ken drives the next stage of the story.

Her final leg runs from Boston to New York, leaving her nearly out of fuel. She battles bad weather and navigates by looking down to know her position, risking disaster.

As she approaches Roosevelt Field, fog and bad weather threaten a landing. With limited visibility, she struggles to find a safe approach while the field looms below.

With Mac's help, Ken secretly climbs into his old aircraft and activates the autopilot to guide Sheila to a safe landing. The risky intervention shows his willingness to risk everything for life and for her.

In the air, Ken confesses his fear of a life without sight and explains a plan to bring Sheila down and then crash. Sheila realizes the danger and fights to avert his fatal plan, trying to save him.

They finally make a landing, but Sheila deliberately crashes into Ken's aircraft to prevent his suicide. A huge crowd has gathered at the airport to witness the moment. Ken and Sheila embrace as their car moves through the press.