FORMAL VERDICT ON AIR CRASH VICTIMS

Grey River Argus, 18 September 1948, Page 3

FORMAL VERDICT ON AIR CRASH VICTIMS

p.A. BLENHEIM, September 16. A formal verdict that the pilots of the Dakota freighter ZK-AOE, which crashed near Port Underwood on August 9, had died from multiple injuries caused by the crash was returned at the inquest to-day into the deaths of Commander R. J. K. HMakgill and Commander M. C. MacL£ The Dakota had arrived at Woodbourne from Paraparaumu on August 6. said Herbert John Baillie, aircraft tradesman, employed by National Airways. After being reloaded for the return trio and refuelled with 128 gallons of petrol, -it remained m the hangar over the week-end. The two pilots appeared to be in normal health on their .arrival at Woodb°A n fisherman operating in Cook Strait, Harry Francis Cantwell, described last seeing the Dakota below a cloud-bank about 400 feet high, which obscured Port Underwood hill. The visibility at sea in a direct line to Paraparaumu was good. Leonard Thorna Biddis, a Port Underwood settler, who was first at the scene of the crash, said a wristlet watch on one of the pilots had stopped at 8.53 a.m. Detective Harry Bruce Constable, said Makgill’s bocly was found with the control column of the plane between his legs and with a. gripping device near his hands. Nothing of an explosive nature was included in the plane’s cargo.