CRASH IN FIELD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 5

CRASH IN FIELD

' MANAWATU ’PLANE Pilot’s Remarkable Escape MACHINE BADLY DAMAGED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., April A Developing a steep semi-spin after apparently stalling at a height of 200 feet, a Moth 'planu, owned by the Manawatu Aero Club, piloted by J. W. Rodden, th« sole occupant, crashed in a field near Milson aerodrome at 7.30, the pilot halving a remarkable escape. Nir Rodden, who has done five hours’ solo flying, was descending, after a short flight, fairly slowly for a practice landing, when the accident occurred, due, it is believed, to loss of speed. The plane hit the ground with great force, making a hole about a foot deep where the nose of the machine struck. It then bounced back and stood on its nose at a steep angle with the front fuselage crushed, the wing edges resting on the ground, and the tail practically straight up. The pilot was dazed, but almost unhurt, and was able to climb out. Luckily there was no occupant in the front cockpit. Mr. Rodden struck his face on the cowling when thrown forward and received abrasions about the eyes. In an interview, he said he considered he had had a miraculous escape. He is now suffering slightly from shock. The ’plane, though badly damaged, is considered repairable. This is the same machine as that in which Squad-ron-Leader Macgrcgor, the club’s instructor, sustained severe injuries in a crash in December, 1932.