SEAPLANE CRASH

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1930, Page 5

SEAPLANE CRASH

FURTHER PARTICULARS. (By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Oct. 30. The Fairey seaplane crashed in the upper harbour yesterday, while it was ■engaged in a speed test at water level. Squadron Leader I/sitt who was following in another plane said the Fairey’s float suddenly hit the water with terrific force. The machine turned over on its nose and went down like a stone,

I did not think the occupants would over get out alive, said Isitt. I could sog them bei-hg taken (under and knew if they had been injured and caught under the plane they would never come up, I' immediately alighted and as I did so, I saw three of them swimming around. They must have (been quite two minutes undei tho water before they struggled, free. They were extremely lucky. All were wearing Reed jackets filled with kapok and we never strap ourselves in. To those circumstances they owe their lives.

The mishap apparently was due to an error of judgment by the pilot. That, however, is not the serious thing it '.would he in a case of a commercial machine carrying passengers. In the air force, a pilot engaged in legitimate tests such as yesterday, V entitled to take risks that would not be warranted with a commercial machine. Jt is stated the plane was travelling at 126 miles an hour when it crashed. NOT YET RECOVERED. AUCKLAND,' October 30After three hours salvage work the Eairey 'seaplane which sank in forty feet of water Yesterday had not been recovered at 1.30 to-day. The machine is worth £6C(X>. The extent of the damage is unknown but a diver reports the machine is stuck m the mud, the propellor is gone and part of the body is twisted.