Plane Crashes Into Harbour

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31145, 23 August 1966, Page 18

Plane Crashes Into Harbour

(Neva Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 22. An R.N.Z.A.F. Auster aircraft piloted by an army officer crashed into the Kaipara Harbour this afternoon.

The pilot, Lieutenant David Grant, aged about 26, married, of Whenuapai, was rescued by the crew of an R.N.Z.A.F. Iroquois helicopter about 35 minutes later. Lieutenant Grant was flown to Whenuapai base hospital where he was admitted for observation. Mrs W. J. Robinson, of Mairetahi. 16 miles north of Helensville, said she saw the aircraft flying low over the water two miles north of Shelly beach when it suddenly dived into the water at about 4.15 p.m. "The pilot climbed out on top of the aircraft,” she said. “He waved, and we yelled out and told him help was on the way.” A farmer, Mr C. M. McMurdo, said he was going to rescue the pilot in his dinghy but the helicopter got there first. One of the men in the helicopter was lowered by winch to Lieutenant Grant, who was then hauled to safety. The

helicopter landed at Whenuapai about 5.10 p.m. An officer aboard the helicopter said Lieutenant Grant did not appear to have suffered any injury, but he was cold and wet Later in the afternoon the Auster was left high and dry by the outgoing tide. Another Iroquois helicopter was used to carry it above high water mark. The Auster, from No. 3 Battlefield Support Squadron, was being flown in a low flying training area at the time of the crash. R.N.Z.A.F. officers said they did not know the cause of the mishap.