Fatal flight recalled

Press, 15 July 1978, Page 3

Fatal flight recalled

PA Auckland Events leading up to the crash of a light aircraft near Auckland this week have been described by David Shenkin, aged 11, the son of

an Auckland lawyer, Mr B. K. Shenkin, who died in the crash. The plane, on a flight back from Mount Hutt, crashed into a ridge near Manukau Heads. “We landed at Wanganui Airport, and left in overcast conditions,” David Shenkin told his mother from hospital. “The weather deterio’ rated as we came up the island. and we decided to go to New Plymouth. “I think we made about eight attempts to land at New Plymouth, but because of the cross winds there we couldn’t get down. Then we tried Raglan, but it was closed. “Then we decided to go to Hamilton, but by them it was getting dark, and we couldn’t find it. So we flew up the coast towards Auckland. We were in touch with

Ardmore and Auckland Information. We were actually being guided In to land at Mangere when we hit cloud. "The plane gained height rapidly, and then descended in a spin. I blacked out at this point. I don’t know what happened to the others, but I think they may h~ve blacked out, too. “I came to about 30 metres from the plane, and went to look for dad. I couldn’t find him. I looked for Douglas and found him trapped under the plane. I thought,the best thing to do was to shelter under the wing and wait for daylight. Then help came.” David Shenkin had plastic surgery yesterday. The other person in the plane, Douglas Ross, aged 17, a relative of the Shenkins, is also in hospital, but is improving slightly.