THE FLIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1919, Page 5

THE FLIGHT.

LOSS OF CAPTAIN HOWELL. I THEORY OF THE DISASTER. By TeleerapliPress Assn.—Copytljht. London, Dec 16. There seems little doubt now that Captain Howell lost his way. The pilot probably seesawed backwards and forwards across the course hour after hour hoping to pick up a landmark. Darkness was meanwhile rapidly coming on and the petrol tanks were steadily emptying. 'lt is* likely that the tanks would not be filled at TJaranto, in view of the short flight contemplated. The strain on the airmen must 'nave been tremendous, but it is more likely that the cause of the machine falling into the sea within 150 miles in a direct line of the starting point was the exhaustion of petrol rather than the fatigue of the pilot. Further light will be thrown on this when the machine, which will be salved, is examined, A message has been wirelessed to the medical officer on the Orsova to break the news to Captain Howell's wife. The log will be handed to her. The British naval attache at Rome has telegraphed to the Admiralty confirming the loss of the Martinsyde airman. He states that the aeroplane fell into the sea at 8 o'clock at night. Fishermen state that it seems salvable. The manager of Martinsyde said that Captain Howell's last journey must have been cruel and heartbreaking. Possibly the log, now in possession of the British Consul at Corfu, will throw light on it. Howell left Taranto in high spirits at noon for Athens, a. 400tnile journey. The machine,' with a cruising speed of 100 miles hourly, should easily have made Athens before dusk but, according to weather reports, the day was misty. CAPTAIN WILKINS. DELAYED BY BROKEN ENGINE. London, Dec. 16. The reports that the Kangaroo aeroplane was wrecked are incorrect. The machine is intact, but the port engine is completely out of action and the delay caused will be indefinite.

POULET'B TROUBLES. COLLISION WITH A VULTURE. Paris, Dec. 17. According to advices from Burma on the 10th Poulet started for Bangkok, but was compelled to return because a vulture dasheA into the machine and broke the right propeller. Poulet is resuming the journey to , Bangkok on the 11th. The newspaper Intransigeant has opened a subscription for Poulet who has no official aid in his (light. - The Brst list totals 5800 francs.—Renter.