FORCED TO LAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 80, 16 January 1936, Page 6

FORCED TO LAND.

TASMAN FLYER AT LONGBEACH. MR W. M. O'HARAS EXPERIENCE. On his way from Christchurch to Timaru late 'yesterday- afternoon, Mr W. M. O'Hara, who recently flew solo over the Tasman Sea, was forced to land on the Longheach Estate to await the clearing of the misty weather. Earlier in the day Mr O'Hara reached as far as Rakaia on a trip to Ashburton, but had to turn back after meeting a heavy bank of mist. The weather was clearing over Ashburton at that time. Mr O'Hara was expected to arrive at Timaru in his Klemin Eagle aeroplane Zeelandia at 4 o'clock, and shortly before that hour two aeroplanes left the airport at Saltwater Creek to meet him. In one of the aeroplanes was Colonel L. M. luglis, M.C., and Captain J. Barnard, who served with Mr O'Hara during the war. A large crowd assembled at the airport, but after a time the aeroplanes returned unaccompanied. Word was then received by telephone that Mr O'Hara had made a landing at, Longbeach. Mr O'Hara stated that bad weather had been encountered, and the time of his departure from Longbeach was uncertain. Later, word was received that Mr O'Hara had left Longbeach, and was expected about 6 p.m., and when this became known a crowd again assembled. The two Timaru aeroplanes again went aloft, and at 6.15 they reappeared, this time with Mr O'Hara, who circled the aerodrome twice and then made a perfect landing.