STORM OVER TASMAN

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 6

STORM OVER TASMAN

By Telegraph—Press Association

FLYING-BOAT UNDAMAGED

Auckland, Last Night. A severe electrical storm was encountered by the Tasman Empire Airways flying-boat, Awarua, about 400 miles out from Sydney on her way to Auckland to-day and the electrical discharge fused her trailing aerial. The machine was not damaged or otherwise affected in any way and all that the passengers knew of the incident was a brief flash of light. The trailing aerial, which is lowered from the pilot's compartment when the machine is in flight and wound in again prior to landing, was replaced by a spare carrier for such an eventuality. As a result of the prompt replacement radio communications was interrupted for only a few minutes despite the storm which necessitated a deviation from the direct course. The Awarua made a fast trip with 14 passengers. She left Sydney at 6.12 a.m. and reached Auckland at 1.53 p.m., point to point time being 7h. 34s. Captain O. Garden was in command. Passengers stated that the incident passed so quickly that they were not

even aware that the aerial had been fused. There was a bright flash of light but the machine continued in normal flight and the occurrence was quickly forgotten. The flying-boat's passengers included Major-General Sir John Duigan, Chief of General Staff, and Group Captain H. W. L. Saunders, Chief of Air Staff, who have been visiting Australia. The largest number of passengers booked for a Tasman flight since the service was inaugurated in April left for Sydney on Friday by the Awarua.