AIR FATALITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 14, 27 October 1932, Page 5

AIR FATALITY

’PLANE COMPLETELY SMASHED,

CRASH INTO TOP OF HILL.

ONLY FIVE FEET TOO LOW

(Special to the “Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, October 26. It is surmised that Messrs F. Grosser and G. W. B. King, the Wellington Aero Club members who were killed when their ’plane struck a hill top near the city on Tuesday afternoon, on reaching Tawa Flat, found the hills between them and Wellington enveloped in clouds and after trying to pass over Jolinsonville turned back and headed for the coast and that clouds covered about 200 ft of the high hills separating Tawa Elat from the coast. The ’plane just failed to clear the crest of the ridge where it-was found. So far as can be ascertained, the smash occurred after 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, although the wristlet watch found on Gresser stopped at 3.33 o’clock. The face of the watch was smashed. Possibly the watch did not stop at the time of the crash, hut continued to tick until it ran down. When the searchers arrived at the top of the hill the full extent of the mishap was tragically apparent. The aeroplane was completely wrecked, the engine being torn from the chassis and embedded in the ground several feet away. Gresser’s body was lying under the left wing of the aeroplane. King’s body, which was a few yards away, was also covered with wreckage. This is the second mishap in which Gresser was concerned, the previous occasion being on March 20 last, when an Avro .aeroplane, of which he itas part owner, piloted by E. McDonald, was compelled to make a forced landing at Plimmerton; but nobody was hurt. The theory generally held by officials of the Aero Club is that the pilot turned back from Johnsonville shortly after 3.30 p.m., continued north until he estimated that he was over Porirua harbour, and then turned seaward, seeking clearer conditions, butmisjudged the distance and crashed into the hilltop. Had it been flying five feet higher it would have cleared the hill. It- was evident that the machine had flown straight into the hillside, and not fallen from above. The two victims of the crash will be given a combined funeral on Friday afternoon.

REMAINS OF MACHINE STRIPPED SOUVENIR-HUNTERS’ RAID. WELLINGTON, October 26. News that an aeroplane was wrecked in the hilly country overlooking Tawa Flat spread quickly. Besides many residents of the locality a number of sightseers came from the city to undertake the steep climb. Several young married couples took children as young as three or four j-ears with them. One man was badly smitten by the madness of the souvenir collector, and carried away almost sufficient trophies to stock a curiosity shop. It is asserted that articles bulged his pockets. His arms held an aileron still well covered with fabric, two or three interplane struts, and other souvenirs. A cameraman secured a magneto from the engine, and a taxi-driver took one of the cockpit shutters. Another, 'intensely proud of liis acquisition, gathered a small case for folding maps formerly fastened inside the cockpit. Fully 80 per cent, of those who reached the machine took away some self-selected reward for their journey, and it was a much souvenir - tattered machine they left behind.

The Aero Club salvaged the engine and odds and ends and burned the remainder.

SOUVENIR HUNTING DENIED USELESS PIECES GIVEN AWAY v WELLINGTON, This Day. Strong denial of the report that souvenir hunters were active at the wreckage of the crashed ’plane was given by the secretary of the Wellington Aero Club (Mr A. W. Nisbet), who said that local residents, far from causing trouble in this respect, did everything possible to assist. Flight-Lieut. Bolt, who salvaged everything of value, gave spvayJSome useless pieces of fabric and burnt the remainder. The value of the ’plane is estimated at £550. It is not insured. Mr Nisbet paid a tribute to the Director of Air Services (Squad-ron-Leader Wilkes), who remained on duty till 2 a.m. yesterday, organising the'search and leading the party which brought back the bodies.