CRASH-LANDING BY AIRLINER

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28397, 2 October 1957, Page 10

CRASH-LANDING BY AIRLINER

Passengers And Crew Safe (New Zealand Press Association) TOKYO, September 30. Fifty-five passengers and members of the crew in a Japan Airline DC-4 aircraft tonight escaped death and serious injury when the aircraft crash-landed into a ricefield near Toyohaka, in western Japan. The aircraft had just cleared Itami airfield, Osaka, and had reached an altitude of about 2000 feet when its outside port engine burst into flames.

A Japan Airlines official said it appeared that the aircraft was going to nosedive into the ground.

The official said: “The pilot performed a miracle in keeping the aircraft on a level keel to crashland into a ricefield.” He added that the airfield’s fire floats and ambulances raced out of Itami aerodrome after the crashed aircraft.

A police superintendent who arrived a few minutes after the crash said: “The aircraft’s crew were putting out the fire and stewardesses were getting the passengers to safety.”

Tax Free Weddings.— Jugoslav priests of all denominations have been freed of a special tax levied on them until now for each christening, marriage and burial service. The levy, known as “turnover tax” was imposed on earnings by priests and religious organisations from all ceremonies under church auspices. It was in addition to ordinary income taxes. According to an official estimate, the relaxation wil’ free the churches of 34 per cent, of the total taxes they have been paying.