AVIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 2 January 1931, Page 5

AVIATION

LONDON TO PEKING AMY JOHNSON’S PLANS (United Press Association—By ElectrkJ Telegraph—Copyright) . ; (Received 2nd January, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, Ist January. Tlie “Daily Mail” says that Amy Johnson plans an 8000 miles solo flight from London to Peking, starting in tho morning if conditions permit; but late last night tlissre was a prospect of fog. “1 determined on this flight two months ago. 1 have done everything myself, and so that my plans should not leak;' out 1 got friends to buy at different shops plans of the countries over which ' 1 must pass,” she said. Miss Johnson expects to reach Mos- . cow via Berlin, and Warsaw in three days, where landing wheels will be replaced by skis. “From Moscow I shall . go to Samara, thence by Omsk, following the Trans-Siberian railway to Irkutsk and Ohita across the Gobi Desert to Peking. This trip thrills me more than my flight to Australia, because much more of the route is unknown and beyond Moscow there is no recognised landing places. I shall always wear a parachute.” Miss Johnson proposes to come back by another route. ARRIVAL IN BELGIUM (Received 2nd January, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, Ist January. A Leige message states that Amy Johnson landed at Biersete aerodrome at. 4.15. The weather was bad. Amy had followed the Meuse, which guided her ' to Liege. She had some difficulty inobtaining hotel accommodation for the night, but the problem was solved with' the assistance of aerodrome officials. Miss Johnson continues her flight in the morning. i DELAYED BY FOG (Received 2nd January, 1,1? p.m.) LONDON, Ist January. Amy Johnson arrived at Stagline this, morning in readiness for her flight tor Peking, but fog prevented a start. CRASH ATMBRISBANE , A PILOT KILLED PASSENGER FATALLY INJURED BRISBANE, Ist January. The monoplane “Star of Cairns,” was leaving Maryborough for Brisbane when, it nosedived and- struck the ground with terrific force. The pilot, B. P. Davidson, was killed instantly, and a passenger named Henry Higgins was fatally injured. The mechanic. William Headland, was badly injured. ' The monoplane had come from Bundaberg with one engine causing trouble. Repairs were effected but the engines seemed slow to warm up for a fresh start. Fin, ally the pilot made a good take-off but apparently one engine stalled. after going a few hundred yards. The pilot was the son of Vice-Admiral Davidson and saw Service in the Naval Air Force. Higgins is a reporter on the Townsville “Bulletin.” ANXIETY FELT MISSING IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA PILOT AND MINING EXPERT 1 SYDNEY, Ist January. ’ Grave fears are felt for the safety ofthe air pilot Captain W. Pittendrugh, and the_ mining expert S. Hamre, who have been missing in an arid part of Central Australia for twelve days. They are engaged in mineral exploration and left Alice Springs on 20th December to join other members of theparty camped 300 miles away at Ilbilba. ■ They were last seen by local aboriginees flying well off their course. Captain Pittendrugh is a British pilot,., more recently instructor in aviation at Mascot, Sydney, while Hamre is a resident of Petersham, Sydney. Search ’planes--have left for the scene. • • ’PLANE COMES TO GRIEF ON INADEQUATE LANDING GROUND AT KAWHIA OCCUPANTS ESCAPE INJURY •United Press Association—By Electric . Telegraph—Copyright) KAWHIA, This Day. The de Soutter monoplane Aorangi, owned by the Waikato Aviation Company, and Pilot Blackmore, came togrief when landing at. Kawhia this" morning. The landing ground is situated on a sandbank in tlie middle of tlie harbour, but as the tide was full in only a small portion was exposed. The pilot reconnoitred a good deal before attempting to land, finally seeur- ■ ing the full length of tlie available runway, but j the distance was totally insufficient, and the'’plane was soon enveloped in spray and water, and was* heading at liigh. speed for tlie water’s edge. Just asa,plunge into the tide was imminent'.softer,..sand was encountered, into which .the ’plane nose-dived, turning completely' tSvcr and coming- to, a standstill- partly submerged at tlie 3 water’s edge/ ■’ ■ '' The pilot and two passengers were uninjured.