FATAL CRASH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 158, 20 June 1935, Page 7

FATAL CRASH

GYPSY MOTH DOWN

WOMAN PASSENGER DEAD

Machine Bursts Into Flames

PILOT SEVERELY BURNED

(By Telerrtph-Preis Association.) GREYMOUTH, June 20.

Information was received at Greymouth this morning that a new plane crashed at Waiho. Mrs. William Newman, of Hokitika, was killed and the pilot, Mr. Harold Lawn, of Hokitika, was injured. The plane was burnt. The plane was a Gypsy Moth recently lent by the Government to the West Coast Aero Club.

The aeroplane, ZK—ADO, with Mr. Lawn as pilot and Mrs. William Newman, sent., of Newman’s Motors, Ltd., aa passenger, loft Hokitika this morning for Waiho. When landing there, it is stated, the controls jammed and the plane hit the ground with great force and borst into flames. Mrs. Newman was killed and Mr. Lawn was badly burned about the face.

No other plane is available here. Mr. Lawn is being brought to the Hokitika Hospital by car.

Further particulars show that the plane, with Mr Lawn as pilot, and Mr s Newman a* passenger, left the Hokitika aerodrome at 9.30 this morning, travelling to Waiho on a pleafure run. The landing ground at Waiho has been receiving attention to the surface and lawn. Knowing this. Mr Lawn flew low over the ground to gain some idea of the surface for landing. Satisfied with his survey, he went for altitude prior to landing. When descending the controls jammed about 300 to 400 feet up. The plane careered above the landing ground and cleared two wire fences before crashing among some stumps in an adjoining paddock and burst into Samoa.

Those engaged at the landing ground where they found Mr. Lawn with his clothing in flumes attempting to get to the passenger’s cockpit, which was enveloped in flames. It was impossible to reach the passenger, who was practicality incinerated, though it is considered she died immediately from consuasion. Mr. Lawn was dragged away from the blaze, and his clothing was extinguished after he had suffered extensive burns.

It is expected that Mr. Lawn will arrive by motor car at the hospital by 3 p.m,

The machine was practically destroyed. Mrs. Newman was a daughter of Mrs. and the late Hon. Janies Colvin, of Westport, and leaves one son, Mr. Harry Newman. She was about 56 years of age and was a native of Westport.