Cause Of Friendship Mishap Not Yet Known

Press, Volume C, Issue 29656, 28 October 1961, Page 5

Cause Of Friendship Mishap Not Yet Known

(New Zealand Prexi .Uwcution)

WELLINGTON. Ort. 27. It had not yet been established whether the mishap to the National Airways Corporation Friendship at Invercargill airport on October 16 was because of a malfunction of the mechanical system. but a full inquiry was being made, the assistantgeneral manager of N.AC. (Mr G. K- Grocott) said. “In the meantime, procedures have been established to preclude a similar mishap occurring again." he said.

Mr Grocott said there were two systems in the Friendship aircraft which could be used for lowering and locking the undercarriage. The secondary system, which was manual, was not normally used. But until the result of the full mechanical assessment was known. N.A.C.. as an added precaution, would use both the primary and secondary systems In lowering the friendship undercarriages. Damage had been confined to the propeller, which would have to be replaced, and to 15ft of the fuselage. There had also been slight damage to the port wing tip. Repairs would take two to three

week* from the arrival of the factory spares from Holland. The cost ot the damage had not yet been assessed, but it wee covered by insurance, Mr Grocott Mid. Repair* were being made at Chrietciiurcb ••Tn the meantime there has been no disruption of NA.C. services, which will soon incorporate the two new aircraft, the seventh and eighth Friendahipe of the fleet, due at the end of November and the beginning of December in time to cope with the heavier summer schedules."