AIR LINER WRECK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1942, Page 4

AIR LINER WRECK

CRASH ALMOST AT SUMMIT OF MOUNTAIN ALL ON BOARD KILLED INSTANTLY. BODIES BEING BROUGHT OUT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, This Day. If the Lockheed air liner which was wrecked on Mt Richmond last Thursday had been a hundred yards to the right of its actual course, it would have escaped disaster. This was ascertained yesterday afternoon, when the ground party reached the scene of the accident in which five people lost their lives. Observation at the spot established that the plane crashed into an almost vertical rocky face, 150 yards below the summit of the north-east shoulder of the highest mountain in the vicinity. It is clear that the death of the occupants was mercifully instantaneous. The bodies of the pilots were still in their seats. Those of the passengers were in or near the fuselage, which was burnt out. .It is probable that the pilot saw the mountain suddenly loom up and he must have made an unavailing effort to swerve, crashing partly head-on into the precipice. Although the bodies are charred, they are identifiable. The first news of the examination of the wreck was brought down the mountain this morning by Mr Clarrie Lovell, one of the settlers who is guiding the party, and two soldiers, Sergeant Lionel Penny and Corporal Ted Brundell, of Nelson. They reached the nearest homestead at 8.30 a.m., after spending the night in the bush half-way down the mountain. It transpires that when the party, numbering 23 men, reached the foot of Mt Richmond yesterday morning, they found that they were faced by some of the roughest country in the hinterland of Marlborough. They were compelled to leave most of their gear, including a portable wireless set, behind. A seven-hour climb took the party to the scene of the crash, but, after an examination of the wreck, it was too late to attempt the return journey. Three men were sent on to report and the rest of the party prepared to spend the night on the mountain, without tents or blankets. Some of the men, unused to climbing, were already feeling the strain of the expedition. The whole parly must have spent a very uncomfortable time, owing to the bitter cold. ■ The main party is expected to reach the flat some time this afternoon, with the bodies of the victims. Those on board the plane were.— Commander, Mr Keith R. Johnston; second officer, Mr William Smillie; passengers, Miss P. Fell, of Nelson; Miss A. Farrer, of Christchurch, and Mr W. H. Moore, of Wellington. INQUIRY ORDERED s ANNOUNCEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) announced that it was his intention to set up a board of inquiry into the loss of the air liner which crashed on Mt. Richmond.