CRASH AVERTED
(N.Z. Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, July 15.
The runway arrester gear at Ohakea Air Force base was used today for the first time since its installation, to avert an accident to a Skyhawk aircraft. The aircraft, flown by Pilot Officer G. Bethell, of South Auckland, burst a tyre on take-off. On landing, the aircraft was halted in about 600 ft without suffering any more damage. Pilot Officer Bethell was engaged in a pairs take-off exercise with another aircraft flown by his squadron commander, Wing Commander F. M. Kinvig. An alert air traffic control officer, who was watching the take-off, radioed that he suspected a burst tyre on one of the planes. The two pilots inspected each other’s landing-gear, and Wing Commander Kinvig confirmed that one of the other plane’s tyres had burst.
Pilot Officer Bethel! Jettisoned some fuel at sea to lighten his aircraft before making two practice approaches. He then touched down 50 yards short of the arrester wire and made a perfect engagement with it.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19710716.2.26
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 2
Word Count
169CRASH AVERTED Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 2
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