CAUSE UNKNOWN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 8

CAUSE UNKNOWN

CRASH OF AEROPLANE

THE WAIROA TRAGEDY

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WAIROA, 20th March,

That the deceased were killed as the result of the monoplane crashing, but that there was no evidence to show

what caused the mishap, was the verdict returned at the adjourned inquest on the three victims of the Dominion Airliues monoplane crash, which occurred at Wairoa on Sth February.

The victims of tho crash were FlightLieutenant IvanLbuis Kight, barrister, of Dannevirkej a director of Dominion Airlines; Mr. Walter Findlay, a wellknown business man, of Gisborne, where he owned a large bakery and catering business; and Mr. W. C. Strand, Brunswick street, Lower Hutt, who was a representative of A. S. Patcrson, Ltd., and son. of an ex-Mayor of Lower Hutt.

The evidence showed that the aeroplane left. Gisborue on Bth February with instruction!! to drop at Wairoa a bag containing telegrams. Ou arrival at Wairoa the 'plane dropped tho bag and roso again. It then banked, the engine stalled, and the machine nosedived into tho side of the road near a Public Works camp, one milo from the Wairoa bridge. Two of the victims were killed outright; the third was breathing, but\lied within a few minutes.

The 'piano was a Dpsoutter cabin oil monoplane, registered 55K—ACA. Piloted by Flight-Lieutenant Bolt, it had performed excellent: service in maintaining communication between Ciisborne and the outside world since the earthquake. Flight-Lieutenant P,olt had only been relieved from Iris duties on the day of tho crash, and FlightLioutciiant Kight-took over tho day's trip. . i