AIRCRAFT FALLS INTO SEA

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23330, 16 May 1941, Page 8

AIRCRAFT FALLS INTO SEA

CUT IN HALF IN COLLISION pilot missing (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 15. It was officially announced In Wellington to-night that a collision occurred about 3 p.m. to-day between two aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force station, Blenheim, while practising formation flying. ' ‘The 'collision' occurred a little distance out to sea, between White Bluff and the' Awatere river mouth, northwest of Cape Campbell. One aeroplane, piloted by Leading Aircraftsman Alec Haigh, whose father is Mr Arthur Kaigh, of Grcytown, fell into the sea, No trace could be found of the pilot, and it must be presumed that he is dead, although floating wreckage was located shortly, afterwards by a Royal New Zealand Air Force launch which happened to be proceeding through Cook Strait. The other machine, piloted by Lead, ing Aircraftsman T ohh Joseph Fox, whose wife is Mrs Patricia Pox, Wellingtomjnade a forced landing on the beach, The .pilot was admitted to the Wairau Hospital, suffering‘from slight wounds and abrasions, His condition is .not serious, • •

No details are yet •available, but it appears that two of three aeroplane? flying in .formation Collided, and mat the aircraft piloted by Leading Aircraftsman was practically out In half. ,• . '■ ,' - A court of . inquiry; will be held.