N.Z. PLANE MISSING

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1932, Page 5

N.Z. PLANE MISSING

AT WELLINGTON LAST SEEN AT JOHNSONVILLE. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, October' 25. Last -seen circling over Johnsonville about 3.45 o’clock this afterncon, the Wellington Aero Club’s Moth plane, “ZK—AAZ” has not been’ reported, q T-he machine carried tw G trained' /pilots, F. Grosser -and E. G. King,, who -spent the -week-end at New 'Plymouth.' It called at Wanganui -and - Falmerstoii ; on the journey to Wellington, butditb •spent somg time circling in the neighbourhood of Johnsonville where steady rain was falling, and the conditions w-ere misty.

Event ally the plane flew away, buthe reports -are varying as to the direction it tooltT : .Squadron-Leader -Stedinan and Pilot Flight-Lieut. Bolt flow aroipid tile cC-ast. They then came back overland, but without -s-eeing any trace of the missing machine.

Aii extelisive 'Search Will start at daybreak, occupants of Plane killed. MACHINE BADLY DAMAGED. WELLINGTON, October r .G. The Wellington Aero Club’s moth plane ZK—AAZ, which failed to arrive at Rongotai yesterday afternoon was feund wrecked on top of Colonial Knob, which is a trig station on the hills#o the north of Tavva Flat. Both airmen were killed' in the crash, the discovery being made at 5.30 o’clock this morning. The plane is badly smashed, the engine being torn from the chassis. The bodies were -brought into town about 9.30 o’clock.

The plane was seen at Tawa Flat at about 3.45 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and was headed towards Johnsonville, and was reported to have been seen again half an hour later flying towards the point where it was found. Thq liillr,' at -the time were covered in mist. The, wreckage lies about a mile and a half from the main north road, and is visibkfe from Tawa Flat.

Deceased are F. Gn :ser and E. G. King. They were returning from New Plymouth and had stopped at Wanganui ar j Palmerston North. They left Palmerston at 2.15 p.m. after refuelling and were seen at Johnsonville shortly after 3 p.m. by a police constable, and again Hater , apparently being unable to make Rongotai o' y ing to -the uiifavoUrab.e weather conditions prevailing;** * v * * v - *'*'‘'* lt Grosser held an endorsed A. license, and had considerable cross-country flying experience. King held nit A’ licence.