N.Z. AIRMAN KILLED AT CANBERRA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 40, 10 May 1927, Page 1

N.Z. AIRMAN KILLED AT CANBERRA

CEREMONIES MARRED ROYAL CONDOLENCE “A KEEN YOUNG OFFICER” Flying-officer Frank Ewen, a New Zealander, who left the New Zealand Permanent Staff to join the Australian Air Force, died from injuries received when his airplane crashed at Canberra yesterday. By Cable.-—Press Association.—Copyright Heed. 11.30 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. The conclusion of to-day's* ceremonies at Canberra was marred by a fatal airplane accident. The plane, which was taking part in the final stages of the review, was piloted by Flying-Officer Frank Ewen, of Point Cook, a New Zealander. He was flying at 500 feet altitude with four other aviators in the form of a letter V. Ewen’s plane seemed to fall behind the others; then he attempted a spurt to catch them up. The plane appeared to make an upward movement, then turned straight down, the nose and the point of the left wing striking the ground simultaneously. It landed with terrific force, hitting its way two feet into the ground. The machine was splintered and burst into flames. Rescuers managed to release Ewen, who was removed to hospital in a critical condition, and succumbed soon afterwards. As the machines were exercising on the side of Government House opposite to the review, not many people saw the crash. Flying-Officer Ewen, who was aged 28, graduated at Duntroon Military College, and held a commission on the New Zealand Permanent Staff. He joined the Australian Air Force early in 1926.

Sympathy with his relatives was expressed by the Duke and Duchess of York, the Governor-General, the Minister of Defence, and members of the Air Board, who said that Flying Officer Ewen was a keen, promising young officer, and his death was a great loss to the Air Force. —A. and N.Z.