MISHAP IN MID=AIR

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 12 August 1931, Page 9

MISHAP IN MID=AIR

GIANT AEROPLANE EXAMINED.

NO ALARM OF PASSENGERS

• Bntlsli Official Wirwaa.) RUGBY, Aiur. 10.' Following the remarkable mishap on Saturday, which caused the giant Imperial Airways plane Hannibal to make a forced landing near Tonbridge, ' Kent, experts made a careful examination of the machine, and the result was announced last night. It is stated that one of the four engines failed and a piece of metal from this motor flew into one of the other propellers, breaking a hlade. This caused the engine with the broken blade to miss badly, and the pilot decided to alight. The official announcement states that in landing one wing hit a telegraph pole and r the tail was torn. There was no injury nor damage at any time in the saloons, none of the occupants of which, owing to their size and the structure of the metal hull," suffered shock or injury, being unaware of the fact until after they had alighted that the machine had been damaged at all. The Hannibal is one of three machines of this type already in. commission. A fourth is about to be delivered, and four others are on. order by Imperial Airwavs. The Hannibal weighs 13 tons and has four engines, each of 500 horse-power. It has accommodation for 34 passengers, besides a crew of two pilots, a. mechanic, and steward.