TAKE-OFF CRASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 68, 22 March 1937, Page 7

TAKE-OFF CRASH.

MRS. PUTNAM'S 'PLANE

Honolulu Mishap Interrupts

Globe Flight.

PROJECT NOT ABANDONED

United Press Association.—Copyright.

HONOLULU, March 21

The proposed round-the-world flight of Mrs. Putnam came to an end yesterday morning when her aeroplane crashed at Honolulu as she was attempting to take-off for Howland Island shortly after 7 o'clock.

The machine was badly damaged but the occupants were not hurt. The right front tyre blew out as the aeroplane was roaring along the runway at the Luke Field and it wobbled and skidded but did not leave the ground.

The strain tore the wheel off, the right wing dipped and was badly torn, one gasoline tank was punctured, the right motor case was cracked, and the rear fuselage torn and dented. The occupants at the time were Mrs. Putnam, her navigator, Captain Harry Manning, and her co-pilot, Mr. F. J. Noonan. As the result of the accident the flight was indefinitely postponed. The airwoman and her two companions sailed by the steamer Malolo at noon for Los Angeles. The damaged aeroplane is to be shipped to a factory for repairs. Before leaving Mrs. Putnam said definitely that the flight was not abandoned. She would try again later. She was not demonstrative but obviously disappointed though calm after the crash. "We are not hurt," she remarked. "Only our spirits are bruised." On boarding the liner the airwoman said: "I shall be back." She made no other statement. Various theories are advanced as to the cause of the accident, including one that the aeroplane skidded when passing over the wet grass on the runway. The actual cauge may never be determined.

STATE TAKES OVER.

FRENCH AVIATION FACTORIES.

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

PARIS, March 21

The Air Ministry announces that the Bleriot aeroplane factories and two other French aviation firms are to be taken over by the State under the recent nationalisation legislation.