AEROPLANE CRASH

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 45, 16 November 1929, Page 10

AEROPLANE CRASH

ONE OF THE NEW GLOSTER GREBES MACHINE BADLY DAMAGED .PILOT ESCAPES INJURY By Telegraph.—Press Association.Blenheim, November 15. Captain M. Buckley, O.C M Wigram Aerodrome; who called in at Blenheim this morning to refuel while en route to the pageant at Wellington, had the misfortune to crash his machine — one of the Gloster Grebes —when taking off from Woodburn Aerodrome in continuation of his flight this afternoon. After a short run the powerful scout aeroplane took the air, and when a few feet up, the pilot, it is stated, suddenly discovered a complete absence of control. The right wing dipped and touched the ground, the impact causing a violent counter swing over to the left side. A steady westerly wind blowing down field tilted the right wing and the left wing struck the ground heavily, dragging the nose of the machine down. One blade of the propeller was smashed clean off, and the left wing crumpling, let the aeroplane down on its side, the engine .gouging a hole In the ground. The aeroplane skidded for some distance and pulled up in a badly wrecked condition. The pilot easily freed himself from his safety belt, and jumped to the ground uninjured. Captain Buckley estimates the damage at fifty per cent. The machine was the latest Grebe to arrive at Wigram, and is only about a year old. Captain Buckley says the cause of the accident is inexplicable. Though the wind was heavy, it was not sufficient to cause the trouble, and he suspects something went radically wrong with the controls. The machine will, be taken on a motor-lorry to Christchurch to-mor-row. Captain Burrell immediately after the crash took off successfully for Wellington, and the Avro Avian left just prior to the accident.