'PLANE CRASHES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 389, 22 March 1937, Page 5

'PLANE CRASHES

FLIGHT POSTPONED, HONOLULU MISHAP. Mrs. Putnam’s 18-luck.

Press Association —Copyright. Honolulu; March 20. Mrs Amelia Earhart Putnam’s plane crashed when attempting to take off for Howkand Island on the second singe of her World flight, The plane was badly damaged, but the c< u;.? ’>»■ .''ere not hurt. Th. right front tyre bb w out as the plane was roaring along the runaway at Luke Field, The machine wobbled pnd but, did not icave the runway. The strain.tore a. wh-a-l off and the right wing dipped

and was badly torn. One. gasoline tank was pun. lured, the right mfftor case was crack' d and the rear of the fuselage was torn and dented. The occupants of the nlane were Mrs Futnam, the navigator, Mr Harry Manning, and the co-pilot, Mr id. J. Noonan. The flight h.-is been indefinitely postponed. Mrs Putnam and Messrs Noonan anil Manning sailed by the steamer MJalolo at noon for Los Angeles. The wrecked plane, will be gripped to a factory for repairs. Mrs Putnam said definitely that, sfle would again try later. The aviatrix was undemonstrative, but was obvlouly dispirited after the crash. ”We were not hurt;’only our spirits wore bruised, ’ she elaid. „ Various theories are advapred concerning th cause of the drash, including one that-the plant ■ skidded when passing over wet grass on the runway, but the actual cause may never be determined, Boarding tha liner Mrs PutrJTm said, “I’ll be back.” She made no other statement.

TEST FLIGHT M Pan-American Clipper. Press Association —Copyright. Honolulu, March 20 The Pan-Amt .can clipper bound tor New' Zealand, will make a fest flight to-morrow and will probably start on M mday on the hop. to Kingman Reef.

COMMERCIAL SERVICE North America and New Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, March 21. It is generally believed In New Zealand political circle* that a strong financial company, representing various British countries interested in Pacific lavlation, will be formea tn th near future with a view to inaugurating a commercial tervice bt ; '.""nen North America and New Zealand and Australia.