AEROPLANE CRASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 226, 23 September 1932, Page 5

AEROPLANE CRASH.

WELLINGTON SENSATION.

o *B SURVIVOR. IN CRITICAL STATE.

MACHINE A COMPLETE WRECK.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

Although it was stated to-day that he'showed some slight improvement, the condition of Mr. L. F. IV Taylor, the pilot of the 'plane which crashed at jobnsonville yesterday, is still regarded critical. The other occupant of the Mane Mr L- de Tourettes, was still ill bed to-day, a member of, his family satin" that he' was not at all well and that they were thinking of getting a doctor to see him. \n inspection of the wreckage has been made by Squadron-Leader Stednian pilot instructor to the Wellington Aero Club, and Fliffht-Lieutenant A. dp T Nevill, staff officer to the Director of Mr Services. Subsequently the re'mains of the 'plane were taken to the Runfotai aerodrome. Squadron-Leader Sted H man said he was satisfied that there had been no failure of the controls. The machine was. a complete wreck. "We are finding nuts and bolts and things like that," he said, "but having been through fire they are practically valueless" Mr. de Tourettes, he added, was not in a fit condition when seen yesterdav to answer questions as to what tie trouble had been. Iflight-tieutenant Nevill states that present indications point to the 'plane having developed engine trouble. The club would hold an inquiry, and there might possibly be an official inquiry conducted' by the Civil Aviation Department. ' What Eye-witnesses Saw. Piecing together the statements of many eye-witnesses of the crash, it appears that engine trouble developed as the machine was passing over Johnsonville,. and the airmen sought to effect a landing. At first the Recreation Ground was aimed at, but by this time the machine was so low that there would have been grave risk of running into one of the high trees in front of the reserve, and besides, several children Mere playing in the grounds. Mr. de Tourettes succeeded in freeing himself almost immediately, and was Sndeavdurihg to release Mr. Taylor, who was strapped in the front seat, when Messrs.. E.'.G. Pledger and J.' Grammar arrived on the scene. With their assistance\Mr. Taylor wae rescued from the cockpit, ■ which was like a furnace. He was. badly burned on the head, hands, body ana legs. "I; was just leaving to catch the- train to town,- said Mr. Pledger, "when . I heard the aeroplane. I looked up and it seemed to be flying very low; I could hear the engine running. Then at first I, thought it was making for the recreation, ground, which is large enough for landing purposes. I saw it was going to come down. Broke Through Hedge. "As soon as it struck," continued Mr. Pledger, "I broke my way through the hedge .into Mr. Mills' garden. The machine wae all on fire and Mr. de Tourettes was endeavouring to get Mr. Taylor; out of the front of the cockpit.. He \ras strapped in, but owing to the fierceness of the flames we could not get at the.belt to release him. We tried to p«U him out, but the heat was terrific. Mr. Grammer also helped, and suddenly, with one big tug, the side of the cockpit, which was almost burned out, gave way/. The belt was broken, and we succeeded in getting Mr. Taylor out, all falling in a heap. Mr. Taylor got up and we could see he was terribly burned all over, especitlly, his face underneath his helmet."

. Mr. Grammer arrived "on the scene simultaneously with Mr. Pledger, and several residents spoke very highly of the jn&nner in-which they dared the fire in their efforts to rescue the unfortunate airman. They were quite satisfied that but for .their help he would not have been got out alive. Messrs. Pledger and Grammer were burned on the hands and head.