FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 20, 18 October 1944, Page 6

FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT

Car Lights Guide Aircraft INCIDENT IN THE KING COUNTRY Residents of Raetihi and Ohakune helped an R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft to make a forced landing on. .Monday night by shining the headlights of motor-cars on to a paddock between the two towns. The prompt action aud co-operation of the police, Post and Telegraph Department and residents with the aircraft’s base probobly prevented a serious accident. As it was. none of the occupants received more (han minor injuries. The aircraft, an Anson twin-engined trainer, left New Plymouth early in the evening on a navigation exercise with Pilot Officer L. D. Lawson (Dannevirke) as pilot, Flying Officer L. Lander (New Plymouth) as wireless operator, and two pupils, Leading Aircraftmen I. D. Fisk (Takapuna) and H. Renton (Remuera). After a time the Anson’s radio failed and all touch with its home station was lost. Telephone inquiries were made but it was not located till a report came from Waiouru that the sound of an Anson’s engines had been heard. Nothing more was heard for a time, till the aircraft was reported over Ohakune, and later over Raetihi. By that time petrol was running low and the New Plymouth station, which had been in touch with the police at Raetihi, requested them to get as many cars out as possible and to shine the lights on a paddock to bring the plane in. The aircraft landed at Makaranui, about two miles from Raetihi 'toward Ohakune, at about 11.15 p.m. The machine itself was damaged, but L/Ac. Renton was unhurt and the others received minor bruises or abrasions. An ambulance, with two doctors and two nurses, was on the scene and the airmen were detained in hospital overnight.