FLIERS CRASH AT HONOLULU

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 56, 22 March 1937, Page 5

FLIERS CRASH AT HONOLULU

■Presa Assi

Mrs Putnam Safe, But Plane Wrecked WILL STARTAGAIN LATER

(By Teiegraph—

i.— Copyright.)

CKeceivea. 22, o.45 a.m.) HONOLULU, March 21. Mrs Amelia Earhart Putnam 's plane crashed in attempting to take off for Howland Islana. The plane was badly damaged but the occupants wero apparently unhuit. The right front tyre blew out as tiio plane was roaring along the runway at Luke Field. The machine wobbled and skidded but did not leave the runway and the strain tore the wheel Off. The right wing dipped and was badly torn. One gasoline tank was punctured and the right molor case was crackect while the rear of the fuselage was torn and dented. The occupants were Mrs Putnam, the navigator Harry Manning and the eopilot E. J. Noonan. Mrs Putnam and Messre Noonan and Manning sailed by the steamer Maloio at noon for Los Angeles. The wrecked plane will be shipped to the factory for repairs. Mrs Putnam said definitely that the flight would not be abandoned. She would again try later. The aviatrix was undemonstrative, but was obviously dispirited but cairn after the crash. "We were not hurt; only our spirits were bruised," she said. Various theories are advanced concerning the cause of the crash including one that the plane skidded passing over wet grass on the runway, but the actual cause may never be determined. Boarding the liner Mrs Putnam said, "I'll be back." She made no other statement.