AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1931, Page 6

AVIATION

TRIPLE TRAGEDY. ’PLANE DIVES TO EARTH. {United Press Association—By. Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 25. Mr -R. B. Waters,- the proprietor of the -Garwick Aerodrome, while flying this'afternoon, was horrified to see an Avro 3WK machine, winch he had been watching for a quarter of an hour, suddenly dive to earth out ef control, killing the occupants, who were three of his employees, all of them being skilled pilots. They were: William James Martin, of PenhirtSidney James Weathered, of Bromley; and L. H. Irving Bell, of Tonbridge. They had gone up on a reeonnoitering flight. The areoplane was shattered.

AIR RECORD. ; ‘(jUnited ’ Press Association —By' Electric Telegraph— Copyright.] ; i?7 5 .4" 15 * PAyRIS, Jan. 25. mth jtwo, ai|d America with iin } ee,"monopolise the women’s air records. France holds the duration record >vltlu Madame Baistel of 37 hours 5a minute's, and distance in a straight line, Madame Bernstein 22(38 kilometres. America, holds the world’s altitude Elinor Smith, to a height of 8357 metres, and speed of Amelia Earliart 291.545 kilometres per hour, and altitude record for seaplanes Mistress. Marion Conrad 4103 metres.

BR-UGE. .IX U.S.A. Jv.v: v u.r Aiva'w NEW YORK, January 25

Hon. Airs Victor Bruce fulfilled one purpose in - her round the world air sea journey to-day when she dropped a. flag here, on Mapx-g -the birthplace of- her> mother,V’hefdre pointing her tiny"biplane'homeward. ' Slie has travelled 17,000 miles over these continents. ir ,Sh.e,. is to .return to London by steamer.'

AERO DISPLAY

( By Telegraph—Per Press .4 ssociation) AUCKLAND, January 25.

A very successful display was organised by the Auckland Aero Club at the Mangere Aerodrome yesterday, when eighteen machines from various parts of New Zealand were present. The weather was ideal. Two parachute descents were made by Lieutenant Haakon Quiller.

Mr ’Gruy' Menzies ; the -Tasman flyer, arrived during the afternoon in one of the Cantenbury- Club’s machines. He started from _Hastings iri the Southern Cross Junior, but engine trouble forced hint to return. He left for Riotorua to-ilav. He was congratulated by the "Mayor (Mr G. Baildon) and the president of the club (Mr Spencer Mason).

PILOT OLSEN'S DEATH

FINDING OF INQUIRY

WELLINGTON, January 26

The finding that the death ol Cyril Herbert Olsen, the Auckland Aero Club pilot, who was killed at .Mangere was due to an uncontrolled dive from 2,500 feet with the engine of his machine running, has been returned by a special Court of Inquiry. The decision of the Court, which comprised, Squadron Leader L. M. Isitt, Squadron Leader J. Sea brook and Flight Lieutenant S. Wallingford was announced to-day by the Minister of Defence, Hon. J. G. Cobb. Ihe cause of the dive cannot be definitely ascertained, the court stated, but ’- fc considered there is a possibility ilia:, the pilot collapsed, as no attempt was made to throttle-hack or shut-off the engine. The flight path of the machine was such as would be consistent with this happening.