AEROPLANE FATALITY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3626, 12 November 1920, Page 5

AEROPLANE FATALITY.

CAPTAIN RUSSELL KILLED. TWO PASSENGERS LOSE THEIR LIVES. NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 11. A terrible aviation fatality, involving three deaths, occurred near the New Plymouth racecourse shortly after four o'clock this afternoon/ when Messrs. Walsh Bros.' Avro aeroplane carrying a pilot and two passcugers, crashed. The machine was wrecked, and the three occupants killed. The dead are:

Captain Richard Russell, D.F.C., Croix de Guerre; pilot. James Clarke, aged for ty-twof Mayor of New Plymouth. Kathleen Warnock, aged twenty-six. The Avro, which arrived here on Monday from Palmerston North, has been engaged daily this week on passenger flights from the racecourse, and Mr. Clarke and Miss Warnock were making a short trip when the disaster occurred. Prior to the accident Captain Russell gave an exhibition of fancy flying, but when the accident occurred he was making an ordinary passenger flight and was descending when he crashed. The 'plane had completed the journey, and was descending towards the racecourse when it was seen to make a sudden topple and rapidly fall, landing in a paddock not far from the racecourse. When a doctor arrived all w r ere dead. The disaster has" cast a gloom over the town. The picture theatres are closed, and all fixtures, including the boxing tournament, are postponed.

STORY OF AN" =■*>.' ''.. > '• " A TRAGIC AFFAIR. ENGINE STARTED TOO LATE. ■j.-. ( ''NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. IT. .The flight; which ended so tragically" started just as many a pleasant' journey : had started. ' Before oil the turn of the racecourse the machine buzzed in pent-up activity,'as if eager to speed away, and then when the passengers had made themselves comfortable, away went the aeroplane over the turf, soon to glance off the ground and speed into the air. Flying perfectly,the machine made a circuit of the course, then-flying over the Boys' High School, and there turning homewards. It Avas in the-next few moments that the crash.came. -Hundreds of people wer watching the flight," and they describe how" the aeroplane' suddenly toppled and swiftly fell straight down. No doubt was left that the 'plane had crashed, and the easy, steady flight had in a moment changed io a sudden drop. People sped to the scene, hoping to help, and knowing too well what that sudden drop meant.

A lady who was nearest to the scene of the disaster tells what happened in all its tragic, simplicity. She says that when turning behind the school boardinghouse, the aeroplane, now only about 200 feet off the ground, and appearing to be but little above the height of the boardinghouse, seemed to slow down. This was more marked than usual when the engine is shut off. Then N the 'plane .swayed . and tumbled at an uncanny angle. It was out of control; it was falling; "arid', down it crashed. Something had failed, or perhaps some little thing gone wrong, and in a moment the exhiliration Of. a day.'s unique sport was turned' into an 'hour of tragedy. The wonderful aeroplane, which a moment before had conquered the air, was now lying on the ground a, mass of wreckage, and three people had been killed. The tragedy of it all is intensified by what this lady eye-witness tells in conclusion. As the 'plane fell to the ground out of control, the engine, suddenly came on quite distinctly, indicating that control had been regained, but it was too late. It came just before the crash, but this eye-witness believes that if the machine had not been so low when the trouble occurred this recovery would have been made in time to save.

WELLINGTON, This day. Sir . Keith Smith was grieved to hear of the death of a brother flyingman, but observed that it was a fate that faced them all. The danger of a | crash was ever present in their ' minds. He gathered that Captain Russell's machine stalled when making a landing. That often happened, but it was not so dangerous at a good height, for then there was a chance of recovery; but it was fatal close to the ground. He added: "I have seen many men killed that way; it is oof the dangers of landing.T The Avro machine was regarded as a perfectly safe type. He hoped tbe public would not be unduly alarmed, as an aeroplane was no more dangerous really than a motor-car. Carry it in your pocket. NAZOL protects from colds, coughs and sore throats. Penetrating, pleasant, safe KNOWN.—Dinner Sets, and Dinner-ware of all kinds are now obtainable at,Ward & Coy., Tni Street ; t ,;