AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 5

AVIATION

A FORCED LANDING. AIRPLANE BREAKS PROPELLOR. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) BLENHEIM, February 23. Four airplanes which left Dunedin yesterday for Wellington had an exceptionally rough trip throughout. AH went well until approaching Blenheim last evening, when as 'the result ol four hour’s battle against head winds from Christchurch, petrol supplies ran low. Captain J. Stedman of Wellington Aero Club who had C. C. Waite ns a passenger in the Club’S Spartan made a forced landing in a paddock at Blind river belonging to J. Costello. The machine overturned and smashed the propellor. The airman, escaped unhurt. Pilot. Jamison. Wellington, flying solo in a moth turned back and landed safely alongside the Spartan. The other two machines piloted by Sinclair of Master ton and F. McDouall* of Wellington reached Blenheim witu their petrol exhausted and just swooped into the drome. A propellor for the Spartan is being sent from Wellington. The machin" will fly home when the weather clears. ACROSS ARABIA DESERT. LONDON, February 22. Bertram Thomas who left Dhufar in December crossed the great sand> desert of Arabia reaching Dohah in El Kata Peninsula on 21st February. RECORD FLIGHT SPEED. PARIS, February 2*2. Flying n commercial aeroplane, a Pilot, landed at Le Bourget eighty minutes after leaving Croydon. It is believed to be a record speed averaging Ko miles hourly.