FLYING-BOAT HAD TO RETURN TO DOMINION

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1948, Page 5

FLYING-BOAT HAD TO RETURN TO DOMINION

(PA;) AUCKLAND, October 11. When within 400 miles of the Australian coast, on its Auckland-to-Sydney crossing this afternoon, the flying-boat New Zealand was forced to return to Auckland, in the face of an approaching dust storm which had blotted out visibility at the Rose Bay and • Rathmines alighting bases in New South Wales. R.M.A. Auckland, which made the eastbound trip, was delayed for two hours at Rose Bay by the storm, but managed to take off for Auckland at 10 a.m. during a short lull when the storm lifted. The Auckland landed at 5.45 p.m. and the New Zealand 20 minutes later. ' Shortly after leaving Mechanics Bay at 8 a.m., the pilot of the New Zealand, Captain D. W. G. Keesing, was advised from the Sydney Flying Control Centre that a strong westerly wind had carried dust clouds from central New South Wales right into the heart of . Sydney and well out to sea. The visibility of the Rose Bay base had been reduced te a minimum and the conditions at the Rathmines emergency base, 60 miles from Sydney, were even worse owing i to dust. ~ I In the hope that the storm would I clear by the time of its arrival in 'Sydney,, the New Zealand continued 'on its course, constant radio contact being maintained with the Sydney Control Office for weather conditions. At 1 40 p.m., when the aircraft had 'reached the limit of- the range from I which it could return to Auckland, I both Australian bases were still bloti ted out by dust, and Captain Keesing 'headed the aircraft back to .Mechanic’s Bay. Although flying conI ditions were perfect up to the pomt where the aircraft turned back, the crew was able td see a dark, cloud of dust extending across the sky about 100 miles, in front-of. the .plane.. . ■>. The New Zealand, alighted- at .Mechanic’s-Bay. at 6.sp.m.,,with.fuel 'sufficient for three hours more flying, j There wore 20 pssserigors on board.