Unidentified ’Plane Said to be in Trouble

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 August 1930, Page 5

Unidentified ’Plane Said to be in Trouble

BUT NO MACHINE IS REPORTED MISSING.

GISBORNE, Last Night

An unidentified ’plane was reported to have been seen by one resident passing over Tolaga Bay at 1.30 p.m. today. The observer reported that the machine appeared in distress and < 'to / wobble a great deal.” The engine was also racing and then appearing to stop. There was heavy rain and a thic* fog at the time. A thorough search over five miles of countryside from the point where the ’plane was reported revealed nothing. A machine was not reported from any other township on the presumed route which lay southwards. AEROPLANE ACCOUNTED FOR. LEFT AKTTIO FOR TOKOMARU BAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE, This Day. With reference to the unidentified plane reported as passing over Tolaga Bay yesterday apparently in distress, it has been ascertained that a plane left Akitio on Sunday, piloted by Mr Hamish Armstrong, accompanied by Mr D. Paviour-Smith as passenger, for Tokoma.ru Bay. This plane, however, did not meet with any mishap yesterday, as Mr Armstrong reported to Dannevirke at 6 p.m, yesterday that he was returning to Dannevirke to-day. NO PUNE MISSING. APPARENTLY AN ILLUSION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, This Day. Investigation- of the report from Tolago Bay concerning an alleged aeroplane in difficulties failed to substantiate the report. The police and settlers scoured the country for some without result and enquiries by aviation interests reveal no plane posted as missing. It is presumed the informant was the victim of an optical iWusion enhanced by the exhaust explosions of o nmtor lorry.