Family Killed In Crashed Plane

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30897, 2 November 1965, Page 1

Family Killed In Crashed Plane

(New Zealand Prest Association*

WELLINGTON, November 1.

The Auckland family of four aboard a light plane missing in the Raukumara ranges were found dead tonight.

Two bushmen found their bodies in the tangled wreckage of the plane beside the Raparapariki stream. The plane had smashed into a sheer rock cliff.

They were: ARTHUR BLACK, a Howick health inspector,

EDITH BLACK, his wife, JOY BLACK, aged 15, their daughter, and

JOHN BLACK, aged 14, their son. The plane was on a trip around the East Coast scenic spots.

Rescue parties will try to bring out the bodies by helicopter.

The bushnien, Colin Williams and Rod Faulkner, spotted the wreckage while searching an isolated valley.

They set out. for the narrow valley after hearing that a helicopter pilot had reported signs in the area. Search and rescue organisation parties at the same time were scouring other 4000 feet mountains which make up the rocky foothills of the ranges near Ruatoria. The search area was confined within a vast triangle formed by the narrow river valleys of the Tapuaeroa and Wairongomai rivers. “We found the plane about 5 p.m.,” Mr Williams said late tonight. “It had smashed down into the mountains near the Ra.pa-

rapariki stream which runs off Sally’s creek. “It had nose-dived into a sheer cliff. Part of it had tumbled down into the creek below.” Messrs Williams and Faulkner trekked back down the shingle bed of the river course to tell the Search and Rescue Organisation headquarters at Ohinepoutu station.

Chief Inspector G. Kelly, of Gisborne, said tonight the aircraft’s four occupants were killed instantly. He said rescue parties would try to bring the bodies out early tomorrow by helicopter. The crashed aircraft was found about four miles due west of Ohinepoutu station. CAMPED IN BUSH Three ground search parties amounting to 24 men who had scoured the area unsuccessfully today, were camped in the wet bush tonight eight miles north-west of search headquarters. Heavy rain and cold, strong southerly winds pounded them.

The density of the bush steep slopes, waterfalls and matted undergrowth made their search task hazardous and fatiguing today. At times visibility was down to 10 feet.

The wind restricted air observation by a Bristol Freighter to three or four high level runs and only one at low level.

Seventy-five miles an hour winds forced a helicopter pilot, Frank Mettner, of Gisborne, to bring his machine down after one sortie into the high ranges. The Weather Office said tonight that fresh to strong south-west winds with further rain and probably some snow ou the ranges were expected in the area tomorrow. The forecaster said it could be Wednesday before there was much improvement in the weather.

Mr Black obtained his private pilot's licence only three weeks ago. He had about 58 hours’ flying experience. His wife and children were making their first flight with Mr Black since he obtained his licence. The other member of the family, Gail, aged 16, a student at Pakuranga College, would have made the trip also, but the Beechcraft 23 Musketeer chartered by Mr Black for the flight was only a four-place aircraft. Gail had already made a flight with her father. SHARP WIND The R.N.Z.A.F. Bristol Freighter today met strong turbulence and sharp wind and rain squalls among 5000foot ridges. The Bristol was piloted by Flying Officer N. G. Osborne. Asked if another type of aircraft could be used, the spokesman said: “If the Bristol couldn't get into the area, nothing could."

The Bristol * encountered "impossible conditions” in its daring sweeps over the search area.

Visibility at the best was less than a mile. The officer said after the aircraft turned back that “it was just risking more lives to continue." The air search was concentrated on ridge-scarred valleys round the Tapuwairoa Valley area inland from Ruatoria