HINKLER’S CRASH

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 183, 1 May 1933, Page 9

HINKLER’S CRASH

Famous Airman’s Death LONE TUSCAN RANGE Body by Wrecked Plane CAUGHT IN A STORM By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received April 29, 7.30 p.m.) London, April 29. Tlie body of Squadron-Leader Bert Hinkler, the British aviator, who set out from London on January 7 with tlie intention of making a record flight to Australia, has been found beside his wrecked machine in an isolated mountainous region near Castelfranco di Sopra, in Tuscany, Italy, at a height of 4600 feet. The aeroplane had crashed obliquely as if the pilot had seen the ground looming ahead and made a desperate attempt to rise clear. The machine was not badly smashed. The cabin was intact aud the slight fire bad evidently been extinguished by the storm. The body was seventy feet away from the machine. His helmet had been wrenched off. The scene of the crash was 1000 feet from the summit of the mountain. The passport found on the body confirmed the dead airman’s Identity. It showed the first, name, “Herbert.” The surname was effaced by the weather, but the name of his birthplace. Bundaberg, Is discernible. A worker, who was proceeding on duty, discovered the body in a barren area, seldom traversed, in the Tuscan mountains, and several hours’ walk from Castelfranco di Sopra. There ivas a deep wound in Squad-ron-Leader Hinkler’s head, apparently sustained when he was thrown from his machine as it crashed. The body, which is almost unrecognisible, was found tau yards from the machine. Besides bearing the marks of burning, the body was mutilated probably by foxes or wolves. In each Of the three petrol tanks there was some petrol. The oil-tank was completely dry. Small pieces of wreckage were strewn over a wide area. A watch found on the body had stopped at 3 o’oclck, presumably ten hours after leaving Feltham. The dead airman’s body has been taken to Castel San Nicola. DIARY’S STORY Headed for Adriatic FASCIST PAYS HOMAGE (Received April 29, 7.30 p.m.) London, April 29. A Florence message, states that Hinkler’s diary, found in a pocket in the aeroplane, records passing Lc Bourget, Macon, Modane, Mount Cenls, Spezia, and Florence. The entry indicates that he proposed then to fly over Mount Luverna, and down the Adriatic coast to Brindisi. The map found had the Australian route marked in red and blue ink. An Italian airman, Signor Mngrinl, flew over the place whehe Hinkled yas found and dropped flowers on behalf of the Facist militia. - * The body already has been officially identified. The Italian Government intends rendering the remains official honours while awaiting instructions for burial. It is understood the Commonwealth Government is prepared to bring the body to London with every honour, but Squadron-Leader Hinkler's solicitor is awaiting the widow’s wishes. SECRECY A MISTAKE Kingsford Smith’s Comment GREATEST ADMIRATION (Rec. April 29, 6.30 p.m.) Melbourne, April 29. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, paying tribute to Hinkler said: “I have nothing but the greatest admiration for him, and deeply regret his death. The only mistake Hinkler made was bis desire for secrecy. Perhaps he also was unwise in starting a long distance flight from that side of the world in the middle of winter. I know only too well the terrible country where he came down.” MOTHER AND WIFE Both Travelling by Sea (Rec. April 29, 6.30 p.m.) Sydney, April 29. Mrs. Hinkler sailed from Sydney for England by the Strathaird a week ago. The liner is now nearing Fremantle. Mrs. Hinkler placed a wreath on the cenotaph at Melbourne on Anzac Day in memory of her late husband. Civil aviation circles are deeply grieved at the news of Squadron-Lead-er Hinkler’s fate. He is described as a peerless pilot and wonderful navigator. The dead airman’s mother is now on her way from Brisbane to Perth by boat. Therefore she is probably not yet aware of the discovery of her son’s body. HINKLER HANDICAP Jockeys’ Black Arm-bands (Rec. April 29. 6.30 p.m.) Brisbane, April 29. The Brisbane Turf Club some years ago created the Hinkler Handicap in honour of Squadron-Leader Hinkler’s record flight from England to Australia in 1927. That event was run on Saturday and happened to coincide with the date the body was found in such tragic circumstances. The jockeys wore black armbands. Flags were flown at halfmast on all public buildings in Hinkler’s native town, Bundaberg, where the citizens desire the body should be brought for burial.