AEROPLANE CRASHES.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1921, Page 4

AEROPLANE CRASHES.

ACCIDENT IN CANTERBURY. PILOT SERIOUSLY INJUREIZ NO OtfliJß OCCUPANTS. By Teleffrn ph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. An Avro aeroplaine owned <by the* Canterbury Aviation Company crashed about two miles from Motunau, between Cheviot and Waikari, this morning while proceeding from Kaikoura to’ Christchurch, the pilot, Lieut. H. G. Grouty formerly of the Royal Air Force, who was the only occupant, suffered a compound fracture of the knee and dislocated his hip. The machine crashed in a wheatfield and when help arrived Lieut. Grout was unconscious. Medical aid was secured from Waikari and ah ambulance summoned from town to convey the sufferer to the Christchurch hospital. The aeroplane, which was fitted witl a new mono was returning tc Christchurch after having beeh used fot exhibition flying at Blenheim and Sods don. A stop was made at Kaikoura last night, when a few flights were made, and the journey was continued to-day. The engine, which was lent by the Government, was absolutely new, having been fitted in the machine only recently. The cause of the acci* dent has not yet been ascertained.