TEN AIR FATALITIES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 446, 31 May 1937, Page 5

TEN AIR FATALITIES

BLACK DAY IN ENGLAND Two Planes Crash In Flames Press Association—Copyright. London, May 30 1 . Tragedies marred Air Force displays held yesterday at various aero_ dromes in commemoration of Empire Day. Squadron-Leader Power was killed instantly at Waddington when his plane nose-dived during a loop. Pilot-Officer Elms, when participating in formation flying at Salisbury, nosedived from 3000 feet. Thousands of people, including many women and children, witnessed these crashes. The third fatal crash occurred' at Farubrough, where a plane was demonstrating an intentional spin to avoid anti-aircraft gunfire. It -could not right itself and fell several bundled feet,; the two occupants being burned to death. 1 he fourth death occurred when a pilot crashed in a field near Tane--mere. The public were unaware of the mishap. A fifth fatality was when a Percival Cull plane participlating in the Empire Day air race from London .to the Isle of Man crashed into a house. When taking off the plane caught Are, the pilot being burned and' a passenger injured'. There have now been ten deaths in Britain in the last 24 hours from air crashes. The programmes were carried out in all cases,, despite fatal!ties. It was one of the blackest days in British, aviation.