PLANE CRASHES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 8

PLANE CRASHES.

ON A FARM NEAR AUCKLAND. TV/O WITNESSES OF ACCIDENT. I (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 30. The plane in which Pilot-Officer Athol Foster and Leading-Aircraftman Keith Miller McCulloch’ were killed to-day crashed on to the farm of Mr J. C. H. Lloyd, and the accident was seen by both Mr Lloyd’s son. David, aged 13, who was on his way to school, ancl by Mr Jack Lingard, who was working on a neighbouring section, says a message from Auckland. “It came clown in a. steep dive,” said Mr Lloyd, “and smashed into the side of a small but steep gully, running parallel with a paddock to which it was thought the men might be making an attempt to land safely. It fell about five yards short of the grass, and the engine was buried out of sight into the ground. The machine turned over on its back and broke, about where Leading-Air-craftman McCulloch was sitting. The whole aircraft,” said Mr Lloyd, “smashed up like a concertina.” David Lloycl said lie was leaving his home for school when he hoard the machine in the air. He took no notice of it until there was a roarjng sound, when lie saw that it was swodping down in a steep dive. He heard a thud, and ran across to where it came froin. - He met Mr Lingard on the way, and together they went up to the machine" and saw one man lying underneath. Ho then went and told his father, who telephoned for a doctor ancl informed the.station at AVhenuapai. The engine was dug out of the ground and the wreckage removed by an Air Force party. Instructor and Trainee. Pilot-Officer Foster was for several years a member of the reporting staff of the “New Zealand Herald.” He was a well-known cricketer, playing for several years for King’s Old Boys, and later the •Middlcmorc eleven in the senior competition. He left New Zealand in 1937, and joined the reporting staff of the “Straits Times*’ at Singapore. On the outbreak of war he returned to Auckland, and entered the Air Force, gaining a commission, a. few months later. He was appointed a flying instructor at AVhenuapai last year, ancl it was stated that ho was regarded as a very capable pilot. Loading-Aircraftmaij McCulloch was born at Auckland, and after attending the Otahtthu District* School went on to the Auckland Grammar School, and after matriculation to Auckland University College. He was training as a school teacher at the Auckland Teachers’ Training College when lie loft six weeks ago to begin his flying instruction! at Levin. He was transferred to AVhenuapai, and arrived there*onl,y last Sunday.