FLIGHT CHECKED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 4, 6 January 1931, Page 7

FLIGHT CHECKED.

MISS JOHNSON DOWN.

Impossible to Resume at Early '• Date.

MACHINE BADLY DAMAGED.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 12 noon.) WARSAW, January 5. An expert examination of Miss Amy Johnson's 'plane, "which "was damaged in, a forced landing near the village of Krasnosielk, i}ear Pultusk, 60 miles north of Warsaw, shows that it "will be impossible for her to resume her flight at an early date. The wing and engine arc both damaged, necessitating bringing the *Moth to Warsaw for repairs. The undercarriage of the aeroplane was also smashed, but she herself was not hurt. i Miss Johnson should have started from Berlin at 9 a.m. on' a non-stop flight to Warsaw, but bad weather delayed her until 10.30 a.m., when the rain ceased. The aerodrome officials urged her to fly by the southern route, via Breslau, where she could use the good landing grounds if the weather became worse, but as this would take seven hours, compared "with four hours by the direct route, Miss Johnson chose the latter route. As she entered her aeroplane, lookingcheerfully confident, she said: "I may turn round if it gets worse." The airwoman encountered extremely bad weather and adverse winds forced her to the north. She missed her way to Warsaw and before she got back on her course fog forced her to descend on rough ground. The absence of news of her whereabouts for more,than six hours caused considerable anxiety at Warsaw, where a large crowd waited at -the illuminated landing ground until long after dark. The. anxiety was dispelled when Miss Johnson telephoned to say she was all right and was leaving her aeroplane and going to Warsaw by train.

RUSSIAN WARNING.

Would Face Certain Death to Land in Siberia.

AMY'S "STRANGE DEMEANOUR."

(Received 2 p.m.) BERLIN, January 5. The newspaper "Tempos" at Warsaw reiterates th© warning to Miss Amy Johnson, stating that she will face certain death if forced to in Siberia. She has as much chance of finding habitation in these wastes as winning a lottery. The correspondent comments on Miss Johnson's, strange demeanour, which "'gives tha impression of fhe apathy of a sick woman who does-, not appear to be fit for her undertaking. She should be prevented from continuing." Reports as to the extent of the damage to the 'plane are conflicting. One report received in .Berlin states that repairs will be completed to-morrow, when Mis 3 Johnson will fiy to Warsaw for a complete overhaul of her machine. Further evidence of opinions regarding tho flight are provided by the newspaper "Lokal Anzeiger." - "With . all respect to the youthful English, pilot," the paper states, "it must be pointed out that good, solo firing calls for powers of orientation and meteorological knowledge, both of which apparently are defective in the pilot. She has had three flying mishaps since the start, which cannot well be ascribed to mere bad luck." . u The ''Tempo" expresses the hope that Miss Johnson will see in the forced landing in Poland a warning of her fate, and return to England.

Another newspaper says that the aviatrix has not paid attention to advice offered her by experienced aviators regarding routes and weather.

HOP QFF TO-MORROW.

Captain Matthews Welcomed At Darwin. ROUGH TRIP NORTHWARD. DARWIN, 5. Captain F. R. Matthews, the English aviator, who recently flew from England to Australia, arrived at Darwin at 4.10 yesterday afternoon, having had a- rough trip on the first stages of his return flight from Sydney. Captain Matthews expects to hop off at dawn on Wednesday on his return flight to England, on which he hopes to lower the existing record. His Puss Moth machine is now covered with autographs. The people of Darwin were delighted to welcome him on his return visit and they are wishing him good luck on his long homeward journey.

BELGIAN PURCHASE.

BBITISH FIGHTING 'PLANES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 5. The Belgian Government has confirmed a large order for British two-s»ter fighter aeroplanes, which are intended for the re-equipment of the Belgia Armv's air regiments. ; _ The contract, which. -was obtained in competition with 'foreign com, nanies provides for the delivery by tne Fairey Aviation Company of a number of auicklv upon an order placed by Belgian Government with the same company for 45 single-seater cralt. . The value of the two orders consider "ably exceeds £300,000.