AUCKLANDER KILLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 7

AUCKLANDER KILLED.

Aeroplane Mishap at Canberra. HISTORIC DAY MARRED. (Eecci- ■" 1 11.30 a.m.) CANBERRA, this day. Flying Officer Frank Ewen has succumbed to his injuries, received in a smash which marred the Canberra opening ceremonies. Sympathy with his relatives was expressed by the Duke and Duchess of York, the Governor-General, the Minister of Defence, and the Air Board. The members of the board stated that in Ewen a keen, promising young officer had been lost to the Air Force. Ewen's machine was flying at a height of 500 feet, with four others in the form of the letter V. Ewen's 'plane seemed to fall behind the others, then he attempted to spurt to catch up. The 'plane appeared to make an upward movement, then turned straight down, the nose and the point of the left wing striking the ground simultaneously. As the machines were manoeuvring on the opposite side of Government House from that on which the review was held, few people saw the crash. Mr. Frank Charles Ewen is a native of Auckland, and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ewen, of 68, Balmoral Road, Mount Eden. He commenced his military career at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1917, apd was subsequently commissioned in the New Zealand Permanent Staff Corps, being stationed at Hamilton. He was later transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force, where he graduated a flying officer, and has served for 18 months. Latterly he has acted as adjutant of the Point Cook aerodrome. Flying Officer Ewen is 28 years of age. The mishap was broadcast last night, when it was then stated that when Mr. Ewen crashed, several civilians ran to ! his assistance. The pilot was seen to move his legs, after which he did not move. The Air Force authorities late last evening refretfully informed Mr. Ewen's relatives of the mishap.