AIR TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 8

AIR TRAGEDY.

WRECKAGE FOUND.

Hope Abandoned for Victims Of Crash.

PETROL TANK LOCATED. United Tress Association. —Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, (his day. The authorities have abandoned hope of finding 1 the occupants of the missing air liner Loina alive but believe they have located the spot where the 'plane sank. Mr. G. Anderson, 011 c of the passengers, who leaves a widow and son, was an insurance inspector and formerly superintendent of the Mutual Life and Citizens Company, Christchurch. The other passenger, Mr. Garlick, was a traveller for shearing materials and Diesel engines. He was a widower with no relations in Australia.

During the search for flic missing air liner Loina a large patch of oil and what appears to be part of the wing of ail aeroplane were discovered half a mile off Flinders Island in Bass Strait. A pilot's uniform, such as was worn by Mr. A. N. Evans, the pilot, various light articles, three more lifebelts and a rubber cushion were found on a beach.

There was also much wreckage, including the top of the cabin, on another portion of the beach. So far there is no sign of any of the five occupants of the Loina. Some of the wreckage found yesterday has been identified.

Late yesterday the police located the Loina's crushed petrol tank floating at a spot where the water is 50ft deep. It is now believed that the Loina when close to Flinders Island developed engine trouble, and that the occupants had not sufficient time to get clear of the machine before it crashed and was smashed to pieces. The discovery of the pilot's suit indicates that cither Mr. Evans or Mr. M. Brown, the copilot, discarded his clothes intending to swim if he survived the crash.

A pilot's cap and right glove were discovered among shattered spars and parts of the fuselage which were rapidly drifting shoreward.

"SMITHY" ON PLANS. NO MORE LONG FLIGHTS. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 3. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith lias arrived from America. When asked if he would take an active part in the Tasman air service, he said: "'I am flying to Australia this month, but don't wish to continue long flights." FORMER NEW ZEALANDER. CRASH IN SOUTH FRANCE. (Received 12 noon.) PARIS, October 3. An ex-New Zoalander, Frederick Griffith, flying a monoplane from London to Slarseillcs, crashed at Avignon and fractured a leg. His condition is not serious.