LOST CLIPPER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1939, Page 6

LOST CLIPPER

FATE NOT DETERMINED. The Air Safety Board has reported to the Civil Aeronautics Authority I (says the "Christian Science Monitor") that it was unable lo “ascribe any probable cause” for lhe disappearance last July 29 of the Hawaii Clipper with six passengers and a crew of nine on board. The Clipper disappeared between Guam and Manila on la regularly scheduled trans-Pacific i flight? 'lhe Air Safety Board, a branch of the Civil Aeronautics Authority, said "no authentic trace of the aeroplane ever has been found and that, as the result, those who investigated its disappearance are unable to ascribe any probable cause for the disaster. "Pending lhe discovery of some concrete evidence as to the fate of the Hawaii Clipper.” the board added. l“ihe investigation remains in an open status'.”

The report said an oil slick discovered by the United States Army Transport Meigs near the last reported position of the Hawaii Clipper the day after its disappearance "was proved by chemical analysis and other tests to have no connection whatever with the aeroplane, though at the time of its discovery this was generally regarded as a likely clue to the flying boat’s fate."

The board, however, said it refused io dismiss “as without probable bearing” on the disappearance of the flying boat a report from the Island of Lahuy that a large 'plane was heard flying above the clouds about 3 p.m.. Manila lime, on July 29. Lahuy is a small island east of and close to the south-western tip of Luzftn and was directly on the clipper's course. The report said that at normal cruising speed the flying boat should have reached the vicinity at about 3.4 G p.m.. Manila time. A careful aerial search was made of Lahuy and nearby areas, but no trace of the ship was found. The board said, however, that it is not prepared to say that the aerial search ;)f Lahuy and other areas in the island “can be considered as conclu-