AIRLINER’S CRASH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20825, 2 July 1942, Page 5

AIRLINER’S CRASH

OPENING OF INQUIRY MT. RICHMOND MISHAP (PA) NELSON, this day. The inquiry into the air-liner’s crash on Mt. Richmond on May 7, in which two pilots and three passengers were killed, was commenced to-day. The board of inquiry consists of Mr. W F. Stillwell, S.M., Captain O. Garden and Squadron-Leader G. b. Bolt Dr. N. A. Foden appeared for the 'acting Controller of Civil Aviation, Mr. D. W. Virtue appeared for Union Airways, and Mr. M. C. H. Cheek for Mrs. Johnston, widow of one of the pilots. Dr Foden pointed out the inquiry was held with a view to the preservation of life and the avoidance of accidents in future. The evidence would deal with the fitness of the plane on this occasion, the time and place of departure and place of impact. weather conditions, the narrative of the flight and hypotheses relating to the cause of the accident. Olive Jane Neale, a resident of Robin Hood Bay in the Sounds district 19 miles from Blenheim, said she saw the plane for a few seconds through a rift in the clouds at .8 a.m. The plane was south of the usual course. Squadron-Leader L. F. P. Taylor, Civil Aviation Department, produced copies of the plane’s official papers. It Was not loaded beyond capacity. Its petrol load gave a range of approximately four hours flying. Detective R. Tripney, who was in the party which visited Mount Richmond, said the plane was completely burnt out. He identified photographs of the wreckage and the locality of the crash on the north-east side of Mount Richmond.