DESCENT IN DARKNESS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 15 June 1927, Page 5

DESCENT IN DARKNESS

IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

OBJECTIVE NEARLY REACHED.

CARR’S THRILLING ADVENTURE.

BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION—COi-xRIGHT. LONDON, June 13. A dramatic account is now for the first time disclosed as to how the British non-stop aeroplane flying to India, piloted by Carr, fell in the Persian Gulf, practically in sight of the world’s record to Britain.

It is revealed" that the ’plane fought for the greater part of the distance against a> wind which did not handicap the Atlantic fliers. During the night, when flying across Iraq, the ’plane battled against head winds; nevertheless it was then ahead of scheduled time.

Carr was controlling the machine in the darkness at a. great height while Gillman was asleep. Owing to the intense heat, Carr removed his helmet, which, it is believed, caused slight deafness.

A few minutes before the breakdown he reduced the engine’s revolutions in order to economise in fuel. The engine developed an unusual note, and Carr awakened Gillman and warned him that he -feared l engine failure. Almost instantly it ceased, and then commenced the forced descent in the darkness in the Persian Gulf, which was skilfully executed. The machine alighted, in the water perfectly.