CANBERRA AIR SMASH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 May 1927, Page 5

CANBERRA AIR SMASH.

FUNERAL GF CAPTAIN EWEN

A DEATHBED STATEMENT

by cable— press association— copyright.

SYDNEY, May 11. Tlie funeral of Flying Officer Captain F. E. Ewen, killed in the aeroplane smash on Monday, took place at Canberra to-day with Air Force honours. The cortege included a large number of representatives of the Commonwealth Air Force. Amongst a number of beautiful wreaths was one sent by Mr. A. D. McLeod, on behalf of the Dominion Government. In view of the fact that Captain Ewen was formerly a member of the New Zealand defence forces, Mr. McLeod arranged with Captain Curtis, of the GovernorGeneral’s staff, to represent the Dominion at the funeral. The Duke and Duchess of York also sent a wreath to Captain Ewen’s funeral. Just before the service at the graveside, aeroplanes dropped a number of wreaths within a few feet of the grave. Although no official statement has been made, it is understood that the Air T'orce authorities are aware of the cause of the crash. Captain Ewen was conscious until shortly before he died, and is reported to have stated that his machine was caught in an air pocket or wind slide. In endeavouring to flatten out and make the position of his machine more secure, Captain Ewen reported that he neglected to make use of his parachute. He was therefore unable to free himself, ns the aeroplane fell 1500 feet.