NEW THEORY ADVANCED

Chronicle (Levin), 4 July 1949, Page 5

NEW THEORY ADVANCED

rress A'ssoctation)

Was Iil-fated Kereru iver West Of Otaki River?

(Per

WELLINGTON, July 4. A new theory about the cause. of the disrster to National Aii-ways C-rporatlon's Lockheed Kereru, which crashed on the hillside near Waikanae on March 18, was advanced when the Board of Inquiry reopened today. Allegations that ihe pilot of the aircrait was never in a posirion "five miles west of the Otaki- River mouth," as reported, and in fact must have been further eastward, was advanced* by the Deputy Director . of Civil Aviation, Mr. I. A. Scott. the aircraft could have flown from the aircraft could have fijwn from the position five miles west of the Otaki River mouth to the scene of uhe crash," said Mr. Scott. Evidence would be called to show whether the records'of the Meteorological Office indicated . if there was any lightning on March 18, - said Mr. W. H. Cunningham, for the Air Department, when the inquiry into the crash reopened. The Civil Aviation Branch would also like to address ..he board, said Mr. Cunningham. There would also be evidence on one or two points that the board wished to have clarified, particffiarly as to the possibility of there being two aircraft near the O aki River mouth which would fit the evidence given by Mr. Oldsworth. The board cmnprised judge Stil- : well, Group Captain W. C, Sheen and Mr. R. A. Kirkup. Adrian Wilfred Benjefleld Hayman gave in evidence details of the aircraft in the viciuity of the Otaki . River mouth. Wi.ness smd that : Commander Layton left Parapara- ( umu at 9 47 a.m. flving a Dakota. He shoibd have pass'ed seaward of the Otaki River mouth o.t 9A8. Commander Layton's northbound aircraft and Commander Campbell's southbound aircraft should have passed 25 miles north of Paraparaumu. There was a visual flight m^de by an R.N.Z.A.F. Auster, estimated to have been over the Otaki River mouth at" 9.44, travelling to Ohakea. Commander Alexander was approximately at the north end" of Hauiti between 9 40 and 9.45 when Commander Bartley reported, con-^ tinued witness. It might have been pcssible to hear a Lodestar aircraft from Otaki if it was turning several miles north of Kapiti. The hearing is proceeding.