Accidental Flight

by F. L. (Floyd L.) Wallace

"Accidental Flight" by F. L. Wallace is a science fiction novel written during the early 1950s. It explores the lives of a group of "accidentals," individuals who are physically imperfect and have been sidelined by a society of supposedly perfect beings. The story primarily focuses on their desire for freedom and the struggle they face against systemic discrimination that keeps them confined to an asteroid known as Handicap Haven. The opening of the novel presents a tense meeting between Dr. Cameron and one of the accidentals, Docchi, who are discussing a recent refusal by the Medicouncil regarding a request from the accidentals to form a crew for a spaceship. The accidentals, who include characters with severe physical disabilities, feel frustrated by their confinement and are determined to escape. As Cameron learns about the unrest among the accidentals, the narrative gives insight into their struggles and aspirations, setting the stage for their quest for liberation and self-acceptance amidst societal rejection. The chapter vividly delineates the conflict between the accidentals’ desire for agency and the elitist views of the Medicouncil, highlighting themes of identity, capability, and defiance.