MORE CLUES TO FATE OF MISSING PLANE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 154, 27 March 1937, Page 10

MORE CLUES TO FATE OF MISSING PLANE

Apparent Patch of Oil Seen on Water From Air FURTHER WRECKAGE FOUND AT OHAU BAY More aeroplane wreckage, almost certainly from the Western Federated (N. 1. Flying Club’s missing Gypsy Moth, which is thought to have crashed into the sea along the Makara coastline on its return from the South Island aero pageant last Tuesday, has been discovered at Ohan Bay. A patch of what appeared to be oil. observed from the air yesterday, leads to the conclusion that the machine is about in the middle of the bay, 2(10 yards from shore.

Piloting a Wellington Aero Club .Moth yesterday, Mr. L. Taylor, with Mr. J. Kirckaldic as observer, made an hour’s flight over the coastline and, •when circling around Ohau Bay, noticed a fairly extensive .patch of what looked to be oil floating on the sea between 150 aud 200 yards off-shore. As closely as the airmen could gunge, it covered in a narrow strip an area of approximately 40ft. in length ami 2ft. in width, and pointed to the centre of the bay. As the wind has now changed to a southerly, it. is hoped, with the consequent moderation in seas along the coast, that launches will be able to get into the bay to-day and thoroughly search the area. Sea. conditions were too rough and weather reports too ominous on Thursday for any launch to venture out. to the vicinity, and the weather also barred aerial activity. Wreckage continues to be washed up, however, and land parties on Thursday found four fragments of red-painted wood, identifiable as aeroplane material. Yesterday several small pieces of wood, probably from the wings, aud a small piece of a propeller lip, were also picked up by searchers. Provided the weather is .suitable, Mr. John O. Tait, Island Ray, will proceed by launch to Ohau Bay this morning and will co-operate with aerial and land parties, whose opinion indicates that there is every chance of locating the missing machine. A great deal, however, depends upon the weather. The parents of the missing airmen, Messrs. Percy Smith and A. Hamill, camped at Te Kamaru Station last night, and will participate in the search, which enters upon its fifth day to-day.