AIR CRASHES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1938, Page 7

AIR CRASHES

INQUEST ON MANGERE VICTIMS BOTH MEN EXTENSIVELY INJURED. INVESTIGATION ADJOURNED. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 13. Evidence regarding the injuries suffered by Commander Cyril Mercer Duthie and Second Officer William Peel, who were killed when the Union Airways plane crashed at Mangere aerodrome on Tuesday, was given by Dr W. Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, at the adjourned inquest. Dr. Gilmour stated that Commander Duthie suffered fractures of the facial bones, the upper left arm and right forearm, both thighs and legs and extensive fractures of the ribs. The body of Second Officer Peel was extensively burned and injured. The skull was severely fractured and both legs and the left arm were broken. The inquest was adjourned. COMMANDER DUTHIE. FUNERAL LARGELY ATTENDED. By Telegraph—Press Association. FEILDING, May 13. The funeral of the late Commander C. M. Duthie, who lost his life, together with his co-pilot. Flying Officer W. J. Peel, when Union Airways' Lockheed Electra Kotare crashed at Auckland on Tuesday,' took place at Feilding yesterday. The cortege was extremely lengthy and there were floral tributes from all parts of the Dominion. Representatives of all the airway services and practically every aero club in the Dominion were present, together with members of local and district organisations, including the Feilding Borough Council, the Feilding Agricultural High School, and the old pupils’ association of the school, of which Mr Duthie was a member. The funeral left the home of Mr Duthie’s parents, “Moturata,” following a service conducted by the Rev. A. L. Dixon, of Feilding Presbyterian Church. The cortege proceeded through the town to Feilding Cemetery, where the Rev Mr Dixon conducted a service in the presence of a large gathering. The pall-bearers represented Union Airways and other a/r services. They were Commander R. A. Kirkup. Commander K. A. Brownjohn, Second Officer C. Alleson, Mr E. M. Buxton (Pan-American Airways meteorologist), Mr L. Mangham (chief ground engineer of Union Airways, Palmerston North), and Mr J. E. Moore, Christchurch. Mr Duthie’s father-in-law. HAWKE’S BAY TRAGEDY. INQUIRY OPENS ON MONDAY. By Telegraph—Press Association. HASTINGS. May 13. The official inquiry into the crash of one of the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club’s machines near Matapiro on April 18, will be held on Monday. The board of inquiry will comprise Mr W. F. Stilwell, S.M. (chairman), Commander G. B. Bolt (senior pilot, Cook Strait Airways), and Squadron-Leader F. B. Burrell (Royal New Zealand Air Force).

The machine which crashed was a Hornet Moth, the pilot, Miss Nellie Arnott, and her brother being killed.