Plane's Mishap in Indies

Chronicle (Levin), 2 March 1948, Page 3

Plane's Mishap in Indies

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■ AUUJXLrAJN-L?,- JUCU: 28. The mishap which f orced r a I^oyal New Zealand Air Force DcCkota" aircraft to turn back to Amboina in bad.- wea- ' ther with one engine losing power was deseribed by its pilot, Flight Lieiitenant C. L. Siegert, oi; the aircraft V arrival at Whenuapai last evenihg'. The Dauota, which left Japan pn February 6, was originally due iA New Zealand on February 13. t The 15 occupahts of the pilane consisted of six members of the crew and nine passengers." The ILrst part of the flight was uneventful, and the aircraft made stops. al Okinavva, Manila and Morotai Isiand, said Flight Lieutenant Siegert. It was on the hop between Morotai and DarI win, when the aircraft was 140 miles from Amboina, one of the Molucca Islaiids, and 500 miles from Darwin, that an engine began to lose power and it was decided to turn back for Amboina. "The weather was bad and bumpy and we were running into thunderstonus,/' continued Flight Lieutenant Siegert. "We were able to hold height at 10,000ft., and I had no doubt that we would get to the Amboina strip. The normal precautions. witli the rubber dinghy were taken, and the passengers were told to put on lifejackets and strap themselves in." The port engine cut right out as the machine was coming in low, «but she made a perfe'ct landing. Across the'bay was the town.of Amboina, Flight Lieutenant Siegert continued. It had been lieavily bombed during the war, but about 8000 people were living there, mostly natives, with a few Dutch Army and administration _.licials. "The Dutch were very kind to us, " said Flight Lieutenant ^Siegert. ' ' Our diet was mainly rice aud potatoes. It .was monotonous, but we didu't by any means starve. Later a relief flight brought us cases of apples, tomatoes and tinned meat. It also brought a spare engine. Ou Tuesday, after we had been at Amboina for 15 days, we left for Brisbane,' and had a day ofii. We then ca'me op today to Whenuapai,' via Norfolk Isiand."