On May 29, 1910, the Verona air meeting in Italy came close to tragedy. During a test flight, Franco-American aviator Duray lost control of his aeroplane immediately after takeoff, and the aircraft threatened to flip over. In a split-second decision, Duray threw himself out of the machine to avoid a worse catastrophe. He was struck and injured by the skids of the propeller as the aircraft fell, but survived. He was taken to hospital with contusions and two broken ribs, injuries that forced a temporary pause in his flying career. By June 23, 1910, he was back in the air. For ATPL and ATC students, this story is far more than a historical curiosity. It illustrates a fundamental principle of aviation safety: the critical importance of immediate, decisive action in an emergency. Duray's instinct to abandon the aircraft — a radical move in an era when parachutes were not standard — likely saved his life. Today, pilots train extensively on emergency procedures, including engine failures on takeoff, rejected takeoffs, and forced landings. The core skill remains the same: recognising a developing threat and executing the correct response without hesitation. This incident also highlights the value of resilience. Duray's relatively quick recovery and return to flying demonstrate a mindset that modern aviation professionals must cultivate. Whether dealing with a technical malfunction, adverse weather, or a medical emergency, the ability to bounce back and continue learning is essential. From an ATC perspective, the Verona meeting was an early example of the need for clear communication and coordination around airfields. While Duray's accident was not caused by air traffic control — which barely existed in 1910 — it underscores why modern ATC procedures are designed to prevent conflicts and provide pilots with timely information during critical phases of flight. Finally, this story reminds us that aviation safety is built on a foundation of past incidents. Every accident, even those from over a century ago, contributes to the lessons that shape today's training syllabi. For ATPL candidates studying human factors and threat-and-error management, Duray's experience is a vivid case study in how human instinct, when properly trained, can avert disaster.