AEROPLANE WRECKED

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19668, 11 July 1929, Page 6

AEROPLANE WRECKED

| UNLUCKY TRIAL FLIGHT. tTHE FBESS Special Service] AUCKLAND, July 10. Nosediving through striking a hilltop at the take-off, a home-made aeroplane was completely wrecked at Mangere Speedway this morning, the pilot, Mr E. Everson, of Heme Bay, Ponsonby, escaping with a severe shaking. For some time Mr Everson has been preparing his machine for a trial flight on an extended scale, and arrangements were made for the take-off this morning. Just before daylight heavy rain fell and ran off: the wings in rivulets. As soon a3 the pilot had fair vision the engine was started, and the take-off was made from the top of a ridge. The machine ran down the ridge, but just before leaving the ground, when the stick was thrown forward, the wheels bumped a projecting piece of ground. Immediately the aeroplane was in a nose dive to crash in soft earth on the Speedway, 60ft below. Mr Everson's brother and a couple of friends were watching the trial flight, and on rushing to the wreck were much relieved to find that the pilot, although dazed, could scramble out It was found that the engine was twisted upside down, that the back of the machine was broken, and the woodwork around the cockpit was badly splintered.