AUCKLAND AIR CRASH

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22400, 13 May 1938, Page 10

AUCKLAND AIR CRASH

PRELIMINARY INQUIRY CONTINUED STARBOARD ENGINE TO BE EXAMINED (fBESS ASSOCIATION TEL.BOBAK.) AUCKLAND, May 12. The evidence of further witnesses of the fatal crash of _ the Union Airways Lockheed air-liner Kotare at Mangere on Tuesday was heard today by Squadron Leader E. G. Olson, Officer Commanding the Royal New Zealand Air Force base at Hobsonville. The preliminary inquiry will be extended over the next two or three days, after which the evidence will be collated by Squadron Leader Olson, in the form of a report to the Minister in charge of the Air Department, the Hon. F. Jones.

The wreckage of the Kotare was removed from the scene of the crash, on the property of Mrs Roussel, and taken to the Union Airways headquarters at Mangere. The starboard engine. which stopped shortly after the take-off, had been taken to Hobsonville for examination by engineering experts. Although damaged extensively, the motor will be completely taken down, and each part examined minutely in an endeavour to determine the cause of its stopping. The Auckland-Wellington service is at present being carried on by Union Airways with the two remaining Lockheeds, the Kuaka and the Kereru. The machines are valued at about £15.000 each. No arrangements have yet been announced for replacing the wrecked Electra, as it is possible to run the present service with two machines. FUNERAL OF MR PEEL VOLLEYS FIRED AT GRAVESIDE (PBKS3 ASSOCIATION TELEOKAII.) HASTINGS. May 12. Representatives of nearly every sporting body in Napier and members of many other organisations attended the funeral at the Parke Island cemetery of Mr William John Peel, who was killed in the aeroplane crash at Mangere. The service at St. Johns Cathedral and at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. R. Gardiner The ball-bearers were Commander A G. Gerrand (Union Airways). Captain W. Mcßride (First Hawke’s Bay Regiment). Messrs R. S. Munro (St. John Ambulance Brigade), V. J. Rouse (Technical College Old Boys),. E. N. H. Stewart (Napier Aero Club), and Sergeant I. McLennan (Machine-gun unit, Hawke’s Bay Regiment). A firing party from the First Battalion. Hawke’s Bay Regiment, fired three volleys at the graveside. A Moth aeroplane from the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club, piloted by the instructor, Mr E. F. Harvie. flew over the funeral at the cemetery.