ATTEMPT FAILS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 85, 20 January 1928, Page 5

ATTEMPT FAILS.

SMITH SHORT OF PETROL. LANDING AFTER FIFTY HOURS. (Per Press Association—Convright.) (Received This Dav, 8.25 a.m.) ' SAN FRANCISCO, January 19. Captain Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Pond failed in their attempt to Tireak the endurance flight record of 52 hrs 22min 21 see, established last August by Edmund Resticz, a German. Owing to shortage of petrol they -were forced to descend at 10.15 a.m. tor day, after having been in the air 50 hours.

Following are progress messages of the flight:— "Gas generators jammed; petrol getting low."

At 2.4 Q a.m.—"Gas getting low, but think we can hold out until davlight." "Petrol nearly exhausted. Can remain in air only a short time longer. Falling far short of record." "Experiencing extreme cold, but it is flivable' in the 'Diane." field at an elevation of 2500 feet j three motors throttled down to limit. Reserve tanks hold enough petrol to last another half-hour.'" Realising, the inevitably of failure during the last few hours, owing to the shortage of petrol. Captain 'Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant Pond strap-glad desperately to conserve their fuel. Thev remained "in the air above Mills Field until the emergency tanks were drained. Thev larded chilled and exhausted. Both had to be lifted' from the 'plane. ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO BE MADE. SUCCESS DEPENDS ON WEATHER. fßeceiverl This Day, 12 noon.> SAN FRANCISCO, January 19 Captain Kinesford Smith said: "We -•viH be ready to try again after several days* rest. If the temperature gives u«5 ,'»n even break we will come down with the record."