AEROPLANE CRASHES AT PALMERSTON

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 163, 7 April 1934, Page 8

AEROPLANE CRASHES AT PALMERSTON

Apparent Stall at 200 Feet PILOT ESCAPES WITH ABRASIONS Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, April 6. The Mauawatu Aero Club's Moth aeroplane ZK-ABA was considerably damaged this morning when it crashed into the ground after an apparent stall at a height of over 200 feet. The pilot, .Mr. J. W. Rodden, escaped with abrasions and shock.

Mr. Roddeu, who is a member of the club, has had four or live hours’ flying experience. He was approaching the Milson aerodrome for a practice landing when the aeroplane got into. a wide spiral spin and came down straight toward the ground in a paddock south of the aerodrome. It struck the ground with considerable force and bounced back and stood on its nose about 15 to 20 feet from where it touched the ground. The aeroplane was almost perpendicular when it came to rest. The front of the fuselage was smashed in and the wing edges were resting on the ground with the tail at an angle of over 80 degrees to the ground. The wings were considerably crumpled and extensive damage was done to the fuselage. The propeller was smashed to pieces and the engine was almost torn from its metal supports. The front scat and instrument panel were torn out by the impact and it was fortunate that no one was in this cockpit. Mr. Rodden had a fortunate escape from serious injury. Whe.. the aeroplane hit the ground he was thrown forward and his head came into violent contact with the cowling in front of the cockpit. He received abrasions about the eyes. He was dazed by the force of the impact, but he immediately jumped out of the wreckage as he had noticed petrol leaking from a pipe above him. The aeroplane was the one in which Squadron-Leader McGregor crashed while participating in a competition at an air pageant at the Milson aerodrome in December, 1932. It was repaired at a cost of approximately £3BO and was put into‘commission less than a year ago. Recently it was involved in an accident when a trainee made a bad landing in a paddock at Colyton and was out of action for a week or two. It is considered that the aeroplane can be repaired and a start was made this morning with the dismantling of the machine.