MISHAP TO 'PLANE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 30, 6 February 1933, Page 5

MISHAP TO 'PLANE.

"SMITHY'S" BAD LUCK.

SOUTHERN CROSS DAMAGED.

WHEEL SINKS IN SOFT MUD. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON ST., this day. In landing at Palmerston North, after the flight from Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, the aeroplane Southern Cross encountered a soft patch of ground and considerable damage was done to the under carriage and a portion of one wing. No one was injured, and the passengers did not even feel a jar. After the mishap Sir Charles Kingsford Smith stated that while repairs were being effected he might visit Australia, or arrange for his wife and young son to come to New Zealand. To-day, however, Sir Charles received a cablegram from Lady Kingsford Smith stating that she was unable to visit JJe\v Zealand, her doctor having advised this course. Sir Charles has therefore decided to pay a short holiday visit to Sydney, and will leave by the Makura from Wellington to-morrow, returning a fortnight or three weeks hence. He left by aeroplane this morning for Wellington. At the point where the mishap occurred to the Southern Cross on Saturday, four chains of fencing had been recently removed to allow for an extra runaway when taking off, and it was not considered to be needed for landing purposes. On landing, the Southern Cross, piloted by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, and guided by the Wellington Waco machine, at 60 miles an hour, went safely over the filling, although leaving a deep rut in the mud. When the big monoplane was coming back at five miles an hour, the five-ton weight at the reduced speed was too much for the soft ground, and the left wheel sank axle deep. Reference to the mishap was made subsequently by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in replying to addresses of welcome from the Mayor, the president of the Aero Club and the president of the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. "I could select some very appropriate language to tell you about what has happened this afternoon," said Sir Charles, "but in extenuation let me assure you that this is not my usual method of arriving. There was a bit of land filled in and the 'plane was too heavy and sank in, and I'm the mug. "I want to impress upon you that the occurrence to-day is not a crash. I know what the Australian newspapers will say—'Smithy Crashes at Palmerston North.' Well, let me tell y°u J t is not so. Please do not say it is a crash, but merely a mishap when coming in." t Sir Charles stated later that damage to the wing was the worst thing that could have happened, because other parts can be forwarded from Sydney. The whole 72 feet of the wing structure will have to come off for the tip to be rebuilt, which will take not less than two weeks, and probably three. Tlie pilot said that in future he will rro ahead before making trips, keeping an eye on the "ground because of the weight of the machine. His own men will attend to the repair work.