MT. EGMONT PLANE CRASH

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 September 1934, Page 7

MT. EGMONT PLANE CRASH

TWO MEN MISSING BIG SEARCH ORGANISED [PEP. press association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, September 13. The crash of a Moth aeroplane, on the northern slopes of Mt. Egmont, or on the shoulder of Pouakai Range, with the possible loss of two lives, is feared. The machine left before mid-day, on a photographing expedition. It did not return. Th? occupants are: — Stanley Green, single, a New Plymouth Aero Club pilot, of New Plymouth; James Austin, single, photographer, of New Plymouth. No trace of the men. or of the machine. has yet been found. The plane left, the aerodrome at Bell Block with a. three hours’ supply of petrol. Tt. was expected back within about two hours. Following recent heavy falls, the snow extends low into the foothills. It was this that tempted the photographer on the expedition. As the afternoon advanced, and the ’plane did not return, anxiety was felt at the ’drome. Other Taranaki aerodromes were communicated with, but thev had no information. Late in the afternoon, two trappers. Mr. Burrows ■and his son, emerged from the Mountain Reserve Bush, stating that they had heard an aeroplane crash in some precipitous bush country above the Kaimiro district. One of them immediately entered the bush to make a search, while the other made for a telephone to inform the police and the Aero Club. The Alpine Club, the Aero Club, and the police immediately set to work to organise search parties, the gioundwork for which is always in existence, but darkness had descended before any extensive search could be made. The rough nature of the country and the density of bush rendered any wider operations in the pitch darkness utterly futile and dangeiojis. Fully equipped parties will be waiting on the edge of the forest to start operations with the dawn. The blizzard of the last few days has abated. The weather is clear and bright, but very cold, with snow down to a low altitude. The crash possibly occured at an altitude between four and five thousand feet. As soon as the light permits in the morning, aeroplanes will make a search.

IN DENSEST BUSH A DIFFICULT TASK. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 14. An extensive search for the missing plane in the mountain bush began at daylight, this morning, when 80 fully-equipped Alpine Club members and bushmen, and two planes, commenced an extensive search of the area where the plane is believed to have crashed. The locality is known to contain some of the densest bush on Mount Egmont’s slopes, and the task of the searchers will be arduous. Sixty searchers gathered at New Plymouth at three o’clock this morning, fully equipped with food and medical supplies. They included two doctors. They were taken by cars to the edge of the bush, and as dawn broke, began a strenuous tramp towards the camp of' the trappers who heard the plane crash. Meanwhile, the party had been joined by settlers and bushmen, who acted as guides. The camp was reached at six o’clock, and after a base had been made, an intensive search of the bush began, it being decided not to split into small parties, but to patrol closely the area believed to contain the plane. Meanwhile, planes piloted by Flying Officer Keith and Captain Gibbons reached the reserve by dawn, and began an air search. At first, the visibility was good, but after the first hour clouds settled down and low flying was necessary.

SOME DARING FLYING was seen as the planes flew low, investigating every gully and gorge. They made west to east flights over a large area, thoroughly examining the bush. A system of signals by shots and smoke bombs was arranged between the searchers in the bush and the headquarters at Kaimiro, the nearest settlement outside the bush, and with the planes. An ambulance was also ready for any emergency, at Kaimiro. The first two hours’ search was without result, and the parties settled down to the ardous task. Unless the wrecked plane is observed from the air, it is expected that the search will prove very long and difficult.

WAVING TO PLANE. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 14. Keith returned to New Plymouth aerodrome later, and reported that although he had seen no signs of the plane, he observed a party waving to the plane two and a-half miles in the bush in the direction of Alfred Road. Keith is making a further flight to investigate the area, and messengers have left the main party to link up with the Alfred Road party. An emergency radio corps is aiding in the search, and has a base station at the New Plymouth zone station, and north Egmont hostel, and a portable set with the main party of searchers. The only eye-witnesses of the plane’s crash were the trampers G. Burrows and son. who state the plane fell with a terrific crash, a few seconds after they heard the engine cut-out. They saw the plane first at an estimated height of between four and five thousand feet. It appeared to be gliding back in the direction of New Plymouth, but lost height rapidly, and after it passed out of their vision, they heard the engine splutter and stop, to be followed by the sound of the crash.

DEAD BODIES FOUND. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 11. The dead bodies of Green and Austin, the victims of the air crash on Mount Egmont, were found this afternoon, in a gully west of the Winwakailio River, in extremely rugged country. Death was apparently instantaneous. The bodies tire being brought to New Plymouth. CENTENARY RACE. LONDON, September 13. The Aero Club has appointed Mr J. J. Jeffs, control tower officer at Croydon, as controlling officer at Mildenhall, in connection with the Centenary air race.

WILEY POST WITHDRAWS. (Received September 14, 10.30 a.m.) OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 13. Wiley Post said to-day that his plane, the Winnie Mae, was so badly damaged in the recent stratosphere test flight, that he was forced to abandon his plans to compete in the London-Melbourne air race. SAVED BY PARACHUTES. LONDON, September 13. Four Air Force men parachuted safely from a bomber, which crashed at midnight, near Guildford, owing to engine failure. Three of the men descended from 2000 feet. The pilot remained at the controls until his comrades jumped safely, and then leapt out when at a height of 1000 feet, and landed in a tree. This is the first time an entire crew has been saved by parachutes.