Collision in Mid-air

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 28, 23 June 1914, Page 5

Collision in Mid-air

TESTING FIGHTING QUALITIES OF AIRCRAFT. A TALE OP HORROR. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright Reeeived 88, 11.15 p.m. Yienna, June 22. The Koerting dirigible, which collided with a biplane at an altitude of I'3oo fcc-t, causing ail explosion of the balloon and the death of several officers, was semi-rigid, two hundred feet long by 'thirty-four feet in diameter, under the command of Captain Xausmith, accompanied by Kaminerge, the engineer, The disaster was the result of an attempt to test the fighting qualities of the two types pitted against each other. Lieut. Flat®, in the biplane, was carrying out a mimic attack, He executed rapid swoops over and under the dirigible, and after circling the latter, approaching nearer and nearer, mounted over the airship Stron. The biplane toppled sideways and fell from the perpendicular. 'Meanwhile, flames burst from the airship. The envelope collapsing over the car shrouded the occupants in fire and smoke, and the blazing mass fell in a cornfield.

Nothing remained but the twisted aluminium framework, smoking material and charred bodies, all with their heads raised and hands drawn up. Experts suggest that Nausmith ordered them to raise their hands to seize a rope. Everything was burnt to a cinder, and the watches and rings were melted. It was impossible to identify the victims except ICammerer, the aeroplane's pilot, and a passenger, who were strapped to their scats with yellow strips. Their faces were contracted with horror, and their legs and arms were fractured.

A DANGEROUS MANOEUVRE,

Vienna, June 21. The aeroplane and dirigible were carrying out manoeuvres. The former was attacking. It is supposed that the dirigible's eddies sucked tile aeroplane down on to the balloon.