DRAMA IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1921, Page 5

DRAMA IN THE AIR.

OBSERVER BECOMES INSANE. ATTACK UPON PILOT. RECOVERY AFTER LANDING. London. August 10. An incident more thrilling than was ever conceived by a moving picture producer has occurred at Aldershot. An aeroplane was flying at a height of thousand' of feet, when the observer been me insane and attacked the pilot. After a sensational struggle the pilot managed to ’and the machine, though he “crashed” slightly. On the ground hp was again attacked by the madman, but the latter was overcome by the aerodrome personnel.

The flight was an altitude test, in which oxygen was used. Owing apparently to a flaw in the apparatus, the observer suddenly became unconscious. The pilot was alarmed, and commenced to descend.

He received a terrific blow on the head, and found that the observer had recovered, but was temporarily unbalanced. He completely recovered half-an-hour after landing. The Daily Mail states that when the coper tube of oxygen burst, the observer was overcome by the great rush of pure air in the rarified atmosphere. He became temporarily unhinged, striking wildly at the pilot, and attempted to climb on top of the fuselage while the ’plane was at an altitude of more than three miles.

After some minutes a sudden jerk pf the ’plane in its rapid descent threw him back into the cockpit. On landing he struggled wildly, shouting: “Only one more thousand feet, George. For God’s sake be quick.” Artificial respiration was applied, and he was soon able to go home.