NOTED FLYER INJURED

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 251, 23 October 1935, Page 7

NOTED FLYER INJURED

American Airwoman in Grave Condition. RUTH NICHOLS IN CRASH. NEW YORK, October 22. A message from Troy, New York, states that Miss Buth Nichols, a wellknown flyer, was critically injured, her pilot was fatally hurt, and four others of her employees were less seriously injured, when her 20-passenger aeroplane faltered in a take-off from Troy airport, tore through two trees and was completely wrecked. The limbs of an elm caught Miss Nichols, flinging her, seat and all, 25ft from the wreckage. The pilot, Captain Harry Hublitch, was likewise thrown clear, and was so seriously injured that he died a few hours later. Four other employees, who remained in the cabin, suffered minor hurts. Miss Nichols is suffering severe burns as the result of an explosion, as well as numerous fractures and possibly internal injuries. The port motor of the aeroplane apparently failed, and the machine, when being headed back, dropped suddenly and was caught in the trees. FLYER'S COMPLAINT. AIR MINISTRY ATTITUDE. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 22. The Air Ministry refuses to make any comment, and will not act on the complaints allegedly made by Mr. H. F. Broadbent, the Australian flyer, of his treatment en route from Darwin to Basfa, where he had to abandon his flight to England after a forced landing. Mr. Broadbent, it is stated, will require to make his complaints officially.

It is pointed out in aviation circles, however, pending further details, that the Air Force at Basra and elsewhere, though under no obligation, is usually most helpful to private flyers.