FATAL AEROPLANE CRASH

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22109, 3 June 1937, Page 12

FATAL AEROPLANE CRASH

PASSENGER KILLED AND PILOT INJURED MACHINE STRIKES HILLOCK NEAR STRATFORD (PRESS association TELEGRAM.) STRATFORD, June 2. A Wellington Aero Club Miles Hawk aeroplane crashed on a farm four miles west of Stratford at 9.55 a.m. to-day. The victims were:— Dead Philip Joseph Nathan, of Wellington, killed instantly. Injured Charles Dunford, of Wellington, the pilot. He was admitted to Stratford Hospital suffering from a compound fracture of the left ankle, bruised head and face. The aeroplane was completely wrecked, portions being strewn over a wide area. The occupants of a farmhouse nearby heard the crash and, on going to the machine, found the pilot attempting to extricate himself from the wreckage. When heavy fog and a strong northerly wind were encountered, the pilot, who was travelling from Wellington to Auckland, decided to turn back, and. in poo- visibility, the machine struck a hillock at Pembroke i*bad, damaging the undercarriage. The aeroplane rose again, but was out of control and travelled 309 yards, losing a wheel in a fence and a portion of the propeller before it fell to pieces in a gully. The engine was 40 feet away from the wreckage. Mr Rawnsley, pilot instructor for the Wellington Aero Club, and Mr R. Morphy, ground engineer, left Wellington this afternoon for Stratford to investigate the accident. Mr Nathan’s (Career Mr Nathan, who was in his sixtyninth year, was born in Wellington, and was a son of the late Mr J. E. Nathan, who founded the firm of Joseph Nathan and Company, Ltd. He left Wellington this morning on a business trip to Auckland. He was educated at Wellington College, where he quickly earned the reputation of being an r.ll-round athlete. He was one of Wellington's leading polo players. At a polo gathering at Miramar several years ago he saved a child from possible death when it fell in front of a galloping horse. For this act he was awarded a medal for bravery. When he left Wellington College he commenced his business life in his father’s firm, of which he became a director. Ho was a’so a director of the British Sheet Marketing Company. As nast-president of the Wellington Jewish Congregation Mr Nathan took an active part in the administration of wH'are activities, and p-oved himself a va’uab’e member to the general community. He was also a member of the Wellington Clnb. the We’lington Commercial Travellers’ Asscc'at : on, an associate member of the Wollincton Aero Club and for more than 40 years a vice-president of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club. He married Miss Jennie Arndt, who earlier was well known in Wellington (or and elocutionary abi’ity. She is a sister of Mrs Reginald Davis, of Palmerston North There are no children of the marriage. Those who survive Mr Nathan are his wUe and four brothers. Messrs Alec Nathan chairman of directors of Joscoh Nathan and Company. Maurice J. Nathan (London), F. J. Nathan (Palmerston North), and C. J. Nathan (Auckland). Two other b-o- - David and Louis Nathan, predeceased him. As a mark of resnect the WeTn'ffon offices of the firm were closed to-day. Mr Dunford. who is about 27 years of age. is an employee of Joseph Nathan and Company, Ltd. He frequently travelled bv air to conduct business for the firm. He was educated at the Hamilton High School. His narents live in the Waikato district. He is a well-known pilot member of the Wellington Aero Club, and holds an A endorsed licence. He has considerable (lying experience.