MOTH DAMAGED

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1932, Page 5

MOTH DAMAGED

ACCIDENT WHILE LANDING. PILOT ESCAPES INJURY. 'By Telegraph—Per tress Association j , AUCKLAND, March 2. A Moth aeroplane from the Hobsonville- air base was damaged very extensively when the pilot, Flight Lieutenant LA. Xevill, over-shot while landing at the Mange re Aerodrome late this afternoon. Al'bench the fuselage the two lower wings, and the undercarriagel - of the machine were wrecked, the pilot escaped unhurt. The ground staff at Mangere saw the Moth approach the aerodrome fairly high, and the pilot side-skpped to lose height. 'He was unable, however, to touch in a 'place that would give the machine ample room to pull up after the landing run, and the Moth skimmed across the aerodrome a few feet above the ground. Losing flying ■speed near the south-west boundary of the landing field the machine dropped j heavily on its wheels, and as the landing gear crumpled under the shock,'j both the bottom wing.s were crumpled, j and the fuselage was broken in halves at the front cockpit. The propeller was also broken.

The machine was - being brought to Mangere for the use of Wing Commander Caldwell, who intended flying to' Wigram Aerodrome, where he will undergo a refresher course. Owing to the Government machine being damaged, Wing Commander Caldwell was given the use of the Auckland Aero Club’s blue Moth, in .which he took off for Christchurch.

PLANE DESTROYED. FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE. WELLINGTON, March 4. The Wairarapa Aero Club's plane, Z.K.A.A.M., was totally destroyed today while being piloted in fast -flying test flights by Flying Officer J. iM. Buokeridge. The machine was speeding at 110 miles an hour close to the ground, when she touched. This brought the undercarriage back, and threw the machine on its nose. The propeller was smashed off, the engine raced, and the machine burst into flames.

Buckeridge jumped out and escaped serious injury, though he suffered minor' abrasions.

Only the metal parts of the plane were left when the flames subsided. The machine was being flown at a low altitude for the sake .of accurate speed recording in preparation for the North Island Pageant. Z.K.A.A.M. was on loan to the Club from the Government. It was the first machine to be used in club work in New Zealand.