'PLANES DAMAGED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 114, 24 February 1931, Page 2

'PLANES DAMAGED.

FORCED LANDING MISHAP. STRIKING OF AX AIR POCKET. I (Per Press Association). TIAIARU,. February 23. Two Government aeroplanes, one piloted by Wing - Commander Grant Dalton, who had a passenger, and the other piloted by Flight-Sergeant S. Simpson, with a passenger, Flight-Ser-geant '[.. A. Dim, made forced landings near "Silverton," the homsstead of Air J. H. AT. Tripp, 14 miles from Geraldine, shortly after 10 o'clock this morning, when returning from Dunedin to Christchurch. Fortunately the four occupants escaped with a severe shaking. At the time of the mishap the atmospheric conditions were particularly bad, the clouds being low, and electrical disturbances taking place in the vicinity, while air pockets gave trouble. Without a moment's warning the 'pinnes crashed almost simultaneously. The metal 'plane piloted by AVingCommander Grant Dalton, was the first to reach land. It suffered a broken under-cacriage and other damage. The wooden Aloth landed a few moments later, the nnder-carriage being totally wrecked, the propeller smashed, and considerable other damage caused. The field where the 'planes crashed is a tussocky, wind-swept waste. The marvel is that the occupants of the wooden Aloth were not killed, as the nnder-carriage was poshed up through the flooring. The pilot's seat and the most exposed parts were badly smashed. A Government lorry was sent from Sockburn, and the wooden machine is to be sent to Christchurch for repairs. It is hoped that the metal 'plane will be sufficiently reconstructed to fly to Christchurch to-morrow. >