THE AEROPLANE TRAGEDY

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 22 November 1920, Page 4

THE AEROPLANE TRAGEDY

FATAL "BANKING" ANGLE. The "Taranaki Herald," describing the recent aviation tragedy. \iJ' s:— When the pilot was" getting into position for landing against the wind.he took a turn with the machine which brought him somewhat over the broken ground immediately at the rear of the Boys' High School boarding establishment. He was then about ;!tlO feet, in tliu air. and spectators both on the racecourse and at the High School sports ground were terrified at the angle at which the machine turned in its "bunking" To get round into position, and also to sec that the 'plane appeared to be spinning round and falling rapidly to earth. The pilot, however, it is evident, retained his presence ot mind, because he accelerated his engine, and momentarily it appeared as though he might regain control. The machine assumed a slightly less dangerous angle, but apparently was too close to the ground and resumed its awful dive. Had it been at a higher altitude it is felt that Captain Bussell would have been able to right the machine and land safely; At the inquest, Constable Hadler, who was on duty at the flying ground. deposed to taking charge of the bodies after the accident. When he arrive! at the machine Captain Kussell tv.i:> still alive and was being attended to by Br. Walker. There were three other doctors present. Russell died in in a few minutes, and the two passengers were quite dead. The bodies ivete badly mutilated, particularly that tu the pilot, who must ha\e received the full force of the impact of the engine i against his body. There is an impression in sosnv quarters that had the pilot nol " started the engine jus! before llt( c • cam*?, the crasli would not have ',- p,, n tV'...'-. v have t e-:'i}?d ivirh thou live.-. Mr W:-l h :- tins is : I errouecu- b e lie.'.'. Th< weight of tV 1 machine itself Cjivo velocity that couH i not have been accelerated by the i 'starting of the.engine. The maehim " would have righted itself had it been higher up. Tins opinion is borne out by the statement of Sir Keith Smith. The late Captain Kussell was an intrepid airman. This was proved by his recent exploit in crossing the Tararuas from Mastcrton to Palmcrston North. It was blowing a gale at the time, but the pilot wear, up and faced it only 10 be baulked. Nothing daunted, he tried once. more, but again falied. He returned a third time to the task, and this time succeeded in conquering the elements and speeding through to his destination. An experienced airman who saw the exploit says it was one of the pluckiest things he had ever seen done. The Avro machine only arrived in the Dominion from England about iwo months ago. was assembled at Wellington, and had since been engaged in visiting the principal centres in the North Island. This particular type of •plane is worth about EluOO in Kae;land at the present day. Mr \Va!.-li stated that quite a few parts of the ' machine were undamaged, especially I the controls and back parts. These were taken off and will be shipped lo Auckland. The rest of the machine.

including the 'planes, was burned that now nothing remains ot* the A