JOKE IN MID-AIR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 August 1925, Page 3

JOKE IN MID-AIR.

PILOT UiflTS A .'SHOCK. TWO JLLKYCiLiNGi LIMBS. A remarkable incident caused the pilot or an Imperial Airways express to maKe a hasty: lauding recently at the Trench coastal air station or St. xiiglevert. The plane was on route from Zurich to London, mainly with urgent merchandise, and was about to pass out from the Liench coast for its crossing above the Channel when the pilot, glancing back tuong the hull 01 his plane was astonished to see an arm ana .eg of a passenger thrust out from one of the saloon windows. At a loss to know what was happening, he decidea to land at once, and then round’ that the affair was a practical joke. When the aeroplane mad© its scheduled halt at Laris two Americans went aboard to iiy to London. They were the only occupants of the saloon. As the craft neared the sea coast, thousands of feet high, they were discussing feats performed by aerial acrobats in sensational films. One of them, by way of playing a joke on his companion, declared that lie intended to emulate one of those daredevils who walk along the wings of aeroplanes while they are in rapid flight. To lend conviction to his words he sprang'up from his sent and pushed an arm and leg through the saloon window, which was not big enough to permit the passage of his body. It was just at this juncture that the pilot in front cast his glance backwards. When thes© facts had been ascertained the interrupted flight to London was resumed, but not before the pilot had obtained a promise that the passenger would refrain from any more practical joking.