AIR BOMBER DASHES INTO SPECTATORS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 February 1936, Page 5

AIR BOMBER DASHES INTO SPECTATORS.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER KILLED

A TASMANIAN TRAGEDY (By Telegraph-Press Assn.--Copyright) Received Midnight, Thursday. LAUNCESTON, Feb. 6. When an Air Force bomber failed to rise at the Swansea landing ground and dashed into a crowd of spectators to-day, Mrs A. T. Collon and Miss Jean Collon were killed and other persons injured. The bomber with three others had flown from Point Cook aerodrome in order to carry out air exercises and photograph extensive parts of the country south of Launceston.

Aero Club Pupil's Miraculous Escape

GIPSY MOTH WRECKED AUCKLAND, Last Night A Gipsy Moth aeroplane was wrecked near Mangere aerodrome at 7 o'clock this morning, a young pilot. Jack R. Butcher, having a miraculous escape. Butcher is a club pupil who has only recently flown solo, and he ascended this morning prior to examination for his A grade certificate. Wnen nearjng the aerodrome he shut off the engine and comme.'iced a series of turns prior to lauding. . The turns, apparently n-ere too steep for the altitude, and, realising he was in difficulties, he started the engine again. Thu machine nose-dived, hit the ground nose first, and overturned in a paddock. The pilot, who was strapped in the cockpit, escaped with a slight abrasion to his head. The propeller was smashed, the ruselage wracked, and the wings damaged. The aeroplane had been used by the club for seven years, and had been flown I'oOO hours.