DIVE TO DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 24, 30 January 1933, Page 3

DIVE TO DEATH.

AEROPLANE CRASHES.

YOUNG PASSENGER KILLED.

PILOT IN HOSPITAL. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") HAWERA, this day. The first fatal aeroplane accident in Taranaki sincc the formation of the Western Federated Flying Club occurred at Pihama, near Opunake, yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Guy Putt, aged 18, of Otakelio, a passenger in the club's machine, ZK-ACH, was killed instantly. The pilot, Mr. Brian Davies, of Otakelio, suffered concussion, and the machine was fairly extensively damaged. The crash occurred at 4.20, near the -• icience of Mr. E. S. Forsyth, of l'atiki Road. Apparently the 'plane stalled in a tur.i, and, wr its flying speed lost, nose-dived fro a low altitude. Mr. Forsyth saw the crash, and when he came on the scene he found the 'plane in a vertical position, with its nose in the ground. Mr. Forsyth stated that tho 'plane circled twice over his house at a low altitude, and was making another turn, when it wavered as if struck by a gust of wind, aud then dived straight into the ground. It was at a height of about 200 feet when the pilot commenced banking. Prior to the crash Mr. Forsyth heard the engine functioning perfectly.

An inspection of the 'plane indicated that both pilot and passenger had been thrown heavily forward, Mr. Futt's head apparently striking the engine. Mr. Davies was extricated from the back seat with great difficulty, and was driven to the Hawera Hospital, where it was reported this morning that his condition was satisfactory. The police at Opunake were notified of the crash, and Mr. Brian Haybittle, the club captain, of the Hawera Aero Club, who was in charge of the flying at Hawera during the day, was summoned. The damaged 'plane was dismantled by Messrs. Haybittle and Brian Nicholas, and taken to the New Plymouth aerodrome by lorry. The 'plane had been taken aloft over Mount Egmont earlier in the afternoon by Mr. Nicholas, and the engine had functioned perfectly. Prior to taking Mr. Putt aloft, Mr. Davies had made .another passenger flight, and on his return had effected a perfect landing at the Hawera Club's aerodrome at Dunlop Field. Mr. Davies, who is a member of the Hawera Aero Club, received the endorsement of his license, enabling him to carry passengers, during the recent visit to New Plymouth of Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, Director of Aviation, at the time of the visit of the Southern Cross. Since then he has made about half a dozen passenger flights.

The late Mr. Putt was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Putt, of Otakeho, and was well known in local hockey and tennis circles.