MISSING FLYERS SAFE AT HOME.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 331, 12 January 1937, Page 5

MISSING FLYERS SAFE AT HOME.

A LUCKY ESCAPE.

Daring Landing Made In Deep Gorge.

Messrs W. and T. Potaka, who were forced down in a ’plane of the Western Federated Flying Club in a riverbed in the Kaimanawa Ranges ■on Friday afternoon, walked out to the Desert Road yesterday and were met by a party of Taihape searchers. Full details of the search were published in yesterday’s issue. The machine is apparently not very seriously damaged, but owing to its location it is considered that the greatest difficulty will be experienced in any attempt to recover it. What Happened. Mr Wilson Potaka said that he circled Utlku and continued in a northerly direction towards Taupo in order to put in flying time. He was following the official air route along the Desert Road and close to the Kaimanawa Ranges, flying over country with which he was familiar through deer-stalking. The plane had risen to an altitude of 10,000 ft. over the Kaimanawa Ranges and above heavy clouds when the engine cut out, leaving him no other suitable place to land but on the top of the ranges. He did not favour the prospect and decided to try to land on the riverbed at the bottom of the gorge. When near the ground he partly sideslipped the machine and managed to make a pancake landing on a flat surface at the edge of the Waipakihi River. Unfortunately, however, in making the pancake landing a slight gust of wind ballooned the machine to a height of about 15ft. with the result that it landed more heavily than anticipated. Found Their Own Hut. Mr Wilson Potaka’s head was knocked against portion of the cockpit and he lost consciousness for several minutes. His cousin, who was unhurt, assisted him from the machine and when the pilot had recovered they walked down the riverbed to a hut about three miles distant which Mr Wilson Potaka had previously used as a deer-stalking base and which was owned by himself and friends. The two aviators remained the night at the hut and left on Saturday morning to walk the remaining dozen miles to Desert Road.

fhey were unable to light signal fires because the wood was damp, and they were not prepared to faec the possible danger of a crub fire. They continued walking, therefore, and at about eleven o’clock this morning they reached the Desert Road, where they were picked up by the Taihape party. At present Flying-Officer Keith and others are organising a journey up the river valley with pack-horses to examine the damaged aeroplane, and it is expected that they will camp en route for several days. Mr Wilson Potaka considers that the machine is not greatly damaged, but is of the opinion that the task of retrieving It is so difficult as to make the recovery of the machine problematical.