FORCED LANDING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1939, Page 10

FORCED LANDING

PILOT'S ESCAPE

HOURS ON FOOT

A TIMELY MEETIN.G

Grave fears for the safety of a young airman, Pilot-Officer Lloyd Parry, who undertook to fly from Christchurch to Greymouth yesterday afternoon, have been banished by the news of his safety. He |eft Wigram at 3.15 p.m., but no news came until, about 4.30 this morning, he telephoned to Group-Captain T. M. Wilkes, Director of Civil Aviation, and reported that he was safe.

He stated that he had had to make a forced landing near the junction of the Taipo Rivet and Seven Mile Creek, at 4.45 p.m. He was unhurt, and the machine was only slightly damaged.

Mr. Parry set out at 5 p.m. to walk Ito a road, which he reached at 3 a.m. He was resting on the roadside when a car came along with Mr. W. F. Parke, instructor to the West Coast Aero Club, and a companion, who were taking part in a search for him. He was taken in the car to a homestead, from which he telephoned to Wellington. It is not known yet whether the machine can be recovered. It is in a remote position, but it may be possible to make a runway to enable it to fly out. BIG SEARCH PARTY OUT. Press Association reports from Christchurch and Greymouth stated that a big search party set out from Otira late yesterday.

Mr. Parry, who is 19 years vof age, has previously flown across the Alps He is a son of Mr, Horace T. Parry. Christchurch, formerly of Hokitika. a pioneer of aviation and ex-president of the West Coast United ..Aero Club.

ZK-AFWjwas flown to Wigram about a fortnight ago by a member of Uhe Greymouth Aero Club, Mr. M. "5. Spiers, and owing to weather condi tions it remained there. Mr. Parry today undertook to fly it to Greymouth, intending to return by railcar tonight to Christchurch.