CRASH INTO SEA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1940, Page 6

CRASH INTO SEA

AIR FORCE ACCIDENT AT AUCKLAND PILOT-OFFICER MISSING. i ANOTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. August 31. One man is in hospital and another is missing as the result of a Tiger Moth plane from the Hobsonville Air Base crashing into the sea about 6GO yards off Narrow Neck about 10 a.m. today. The injured airman is Pilot-Officer Boyd Victor de Pine, whose mother Mrs V. le Pine, resides at 161 Barnett Street, Highland Park. Wadestown. The missing man is believed to bo Pilot-Officer Michael Goldstone. age 21, whoso next-of-kin is his father, Mr J. Goldstone, of 21 College Street Wanganui. The plane, which was a Tiger Moth D H 88 two-seater dual control, lef Hobsonville with its two pilots at 9.15 a.m. Onlookers, who saw the crash, variously estimate the height at which the plane went into a dive at from 200 to 1000 feet, after the plane had previously been performing aerobaticsover the Rangitoto Channel. A naval examination vessel, which was about 300 yards away, rescued Pilot-Officer le Pine, who was subsequently found to be suffering from shock and lacerations t< his face, knees, and arms.

Both pilots are members of an ii;. structors’ school, having arrived at Hobsonville about three weeks ago after completing their training in the South Island. Both had been detailed as instructors.

The condition of Pilot-Officer le Pine was reported yesterday afternoon to be fairly serious. A message from Wanganui states that Pilot-officer R. Goldstone, whose death occurred in a plane accident a< Auckland on Saturday, is a former member of the Wanganui Rowing Club, He was educated at Marist Brothers’ School and Wanganui Technical College.

Pilot-Officer le Pine is well known in Masterton, where he was a member of the staff of Messrs Fagan Motors Ltd. He is one of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club's Civil Reserve trainees. After completing his course he underwent training as a pilot-in-structor. “FAIRLY WELL” REPORT ON PILOT-OFFICER LE PINE. AUCKLAND, This Day. An improvement in the condition of Pilot-Officer Boyd Victor le Pine, vzho was injured in the air tragedy on Saturday, was reported by the hospital today. The official report is “fairly well.”