FORCED LANDING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 292, 23 September 1935, Page 5

FORCED LANDING

’PLANE IN A MONSOON. RESCUE AFTER LONG SEARCH (United Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, September’2l. The Rangoon correspondent of “The Times” says that only two of the three de Havilland Rapides which were flying to New Guinea for air survey work arrived there. The third has just been seen near Bassein. A terrificmonsoon ytas raging, and .a search yesterday failed to find it; • - U

It was found to-day, howver, that it had landed safely on a beach south of Bassein. ;

MENACED BY HOSTILE NATIVES.

TRYING EXPERIENCE AT NIGHT.

(Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) R ANGOON, September 22. The Do Havilland’s crew arrived here all well, despite the trying experience after the ’plane was forced down on the beach at the mouth of the Rassein River, owing to lack of petrol. Mr Vonk (a Dutch passenger) penetrated the jungle, where he encountered hostile natives. He returned to the coast where-lie was fortunate in attracting the attention of a steamer in which he reached Assein, where lie communicated with Rangoon* in consequence of which a relief ’plane was dispatched. , *" In the meantime the crew spent the night alongside tlie crashed ’plane,, menaced by wild animals, snakes mid unfriendly "natives. The natives scattered upon the arrival of the rescue ’plane and afterwards held a poojah (prayer meeting) to rid the island of the evil influence of the birdmen.