SENSATIONALISM

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 150, 17 February 1932, Page 4

SENSATIONALISM

THRILLING DRAMA PILOT DISCOUNTS STORY 0F DRAMATIC REPAIRS IN MID-AIR STORY FROM NEW PLYMOUT0 HAMILTON, Tuesdai A story of a "thrilling drama \ mid-air," reported from New p}j mouth to have been enacted betwee that town and Hamilton io'n Sundai is largely discredited hy the centri figure in the incident, Mr. J. S. Blac! more, of Hamilton. Mr. Blacknioi characterised the New Plymouth v6 sion of his flight to Hamilton as "u, warranted sensationalism." Mr. Blackmore explained that wh{ his machine was landing at New P] mouth aerodrome a bolt on the shoc ahsorber leg of the monoplane shet ed, and causing the undercarriaj to come adrift. Wishing to havet machine back in Hamilton in { event of further damage being caj ed in landing, he opened up the e gine and tbok the air again. Oi ti way to Hamilton he removed thesi window of the cabin, and hand over the controls of the machine a passenger, Mr." K. Martin, of N Plymouth. Resumed Control Leaning out of the window, secured the undercarriage, and, ? the aid of the other passenger, 1 E. Smith, strapped it up with the; of a helt and cloth. Mr. Smith 1 him by the legs as he leaned out I the window of the 'plane. Tying screwdriver to the end of a luggs rack rod, he was able to worki screwdrfver through the defeetl bolt-hole. After accomplishing t! Mr. Blackmore resumed control the machine. The reason for pntting the und carriage back in position was obviate the possibility of the macli tipping over in landing. After lai ing on the good wheel of the mad and keeping on it as long as possil until the machine lost practically momentum, the weight was taken the damaged undercarriage. screwdriver bent and allowed shock-ahsorher leg to collapse. ' machine pivoted on the damaged and came gently to rest. The tip the propeller was slightly damap but the machine proper was not d; aged in any way.