MOTH ’PLANE CRASHES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 June 1930, Page 7

MOTH ’PLANE CRASHES

ACCIDENT AT WELLINGTON. CUB PILOT’S EXCITING FLIGHT. (By ■JVWrrnph—Press AssociationA WELLINGTON. June 24. A two-seater dual control De HaviIa nd Moth aeroplane crashed in Calabar Road in the vicinity of the Roneotai aerodrome at 3.45 p.m. to-day. The pilot, Mr T. Mull igan, was uninjured, although the machine was badly damaged. The under-carriage, propeller and three of the its wings were broken. Mr Mulligan made his first solo flight week ago and was on his third flight to-day when the accident occurred. Captain G. L. Stedman. instructor to the Wellington Aero Club, had been U)i with him this afternoon and had gone through a few landings before allowing him to fly solo. Captain Steelman remarked to him that the northeasterly wind appeared to he about to change to south. While Mr Mulligan was up alone, the wind switched round suddenly and became squally, hut the pilot attempted to land as if it were , .still from the north-east ouarter. He opened out and rose again, hut tried once more to come down in the same direction. His wheels were on the ground and he was actually taxi-ing when he became afraid. apparently, that he was going to hit the Miramar

golf clubhouse. He endeavoured to rise ! again, and managed to clear the fence and the telegraph wires on the main road. Then he began a- wild career over housetops and headed for a neighbouring hill in an attempt to- avoid crushing into a house. While on the way he managed to flop through between the telephone, lighting and power wires on to Calabar Eoad, where the right landing wheel collapsed. The machine swung round and eventually ended on its nose. Mr Mulligan* unstrapped himself and climbed out of the 'plane uninjured. The machine is a. now one and lias been lent to the club by the Govern- ! meut. During the three weeks th®t the club has had it, the aeroplane has spent 30 hours in tlic air.