FORCED LANDING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 211, 19 June 1933, Page 5

FORCED LANDING.

AIRWAYS' EXPLORING 'PLANE.

SHORTAGE OF PETROL. < United Press Association—Copyright). DARWIN, June 18. The Administrator has received a wireless message from the Astrea, the Imperial Airways machine carrying an official party surveying the air route to Australia, which left Koepang this morning, stating that she had been unable to reach Darwin owing &o head winds. These had delayed the flight, the petrol had run short, and the aeroplane had landed at the aerodrome on Bathurst Island.

It was asked that arrangements be made to send petrol and oil across by launch. . Bathurst Island has an emergency landing ground, about a mile from the Catholic mission station, so that the occupants of the machine should be well cared for.

MISSION SHIP'S HELP.

EXCITEMENT FOR BATHURST,

DARWIN, June 18.

Owing to the difficulty of getting a local craft ready for the trip ±o Bathurst Island, the mission vessel will come from the island to-day and return in the evening with petrol. The Astrea is the first 'plane to visit Bathurst Island, where there is a runway two miles long by. half a mile wide.

GOOD LANDING MADE.

ALL ON BOARD WELL.,

(Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) DARWIN, This Day

The mission lugger St. Francis.arrived at 9.30 last night from Bathurst Island. Brother Smith, of the Bathurst Island Mission, says the aeroplane made a good landing and all is well. The St. Francis left Bathurst Island at 5.30 on Saturday afternoon and fought strong' head winds .and head seas. The usual time for the trip is six hours. The lugger will leave as soon as the cargo is aboard. It is not known when the Astrea will leave the islands