BIPLANE WRECKED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 7

BIPLANE WRECKED.

AFTER A' 'TRIAL' FLIGHT/ 1

(By Teloßranh—Prcse Association.) Auckland, December 4. A short trial flight was mado at Avondalc this morning by Mr. Sandford in the Sandfovd-Miller . biplane, with which the local aviators, Messrs. Sandford and Miller, 'have been experimenting i'or some time. The pianos of the machine had been considerably soaked by the recent heavy rains, and they were consequently very heavy, but Mr. Sandford decided to test tho flying capacity of the' machine' under such conditions. At about 8.30 this morning he took bis seat and started tho engine, and the machino went up gracefully. Mr. Sandford took the piano up to a considerable height, circled the racecourse, and then set out in tho direction of New Lynn. He found, however, that tho soaked planes mado tho machine's movements heavy, and after traversing about n milo he decided to descend. He made the descent without mishap.' Later in tho day Mr. Sandford went to take the macliino out of the paddock. Ho failed to clear a fence, which he struck when going close upon sixty miles an hour. Tho machine was wrecked except tho engine, and tho aviator was thrown thirty or forty feot further on. Tho entcnt of bis injuries aro not yet known.